The Hindu Business Line : Chennai port clocks 9% growth in cargo traffic

THE Chennai port recorded 8.96 per cent growth in cargo traffic at 36.71 million tonnes during the fiscal ended March 31, 2004 compared to 33.69 million tonnes the previous year.

The port marginally surpassed the Shipping Ministry's target by 0.30 per cent. Among the major ports, Chennai was ranked third after Visakhapatnam (47 million tonnes) and Kandla (41 million tonnes) in cargo handling.

The biggest jump during the year was in container traffic, which went up by 27 per cent to five lakh TEUs (twenty foot equivalent units), said Mr M. Raman, Chairman, Ennore Port Ltd, who is holding additional charge as Chairman, Chennai Port Trust (ChPT).

During 2004-05, the port is likely to post 9-10 per cent growth in cargo traffic, he added.

Of the total cargo handling, export accounted for 16 million tonnes (14 million tonnes) while import was 20.30 million tonnes (19.61 million tonnes).

The port handled 8.92 million tonnes (8.72 million tonnes) of iron ore. As per the Shipping Ministry's direction, the During 2003-04, the Chennai port handled 9.48 million tonnes (8.92 million tonnes) of POL (petroleum, oil and lubricants), Mr Raman added. For 2003-04, the port trust's net surplus increased to Rs 63 crore (Rs. 55 crore). According to Mr Raman, ChPT will invest about Rs 60 crore to procure seven 15-tonne `electric level luffing' cranes.