The Hindu Business Line : Paradip port asks users to step up throughput to reach target

IN its desperate bid to hit the 30-million tonne (mt) traffic level in 2004-05, the Paradip Port Trust has appealed to major users such as Steel Authority of India Ltd and Tata Steel (the importers of coking coal through the port) and Orissa Mining Corporation, MMTC, Essel Mining and Rungta Mines, among others, (the major exporters of iron ore) to step up their throughputs in the current month.

Till February 28, the total volume of traffic handled by the port was 27.43 mt compared to 22.8 mt in the same period of the previous year, registering more than 20 per cent growth. To achieve the targeted 30-mt by March 31, the port will be required to handle about 2.5-2.6 mt in the current month. The apprehension is that the required volume might not materialise and ,therefore, the target might be missed by a whisker.

The apprehension may not be totally unfounded. The import of fertiliser raw materials, posting more than 79 per cent growth at a throughput of 2.4 mt till February, has remained suspended as the Oswal's fertiliser factory, the importer, has been forced to suspend production following objection by the pollution control authorities for alleged violation of pollution control norms. The import of raw materials too therefore remains suspended. If the present situation continues, the port stands to lose traffic of at least two lakh tonnes this month.

The shipment (by the coastal route) of thermal coal, the mainstay of the port's total traffic, has so far recorded a negative growth. The drop is marginal, about 1.24 per cent at 9.96 mt (10.09 mt); nevertheless a matter of concern.

In fact, except iron ore (exports), fertiliser raw materials and coking coal (both imports), the throughputs of all other items posted a negative growth. Till February, iron exports at 8.26 mt (4.91 mt) posted more than 68 per cent growth and coking coal imports at 3.01 mt (2.16 mt) nearly 40 per cent. However, the import of petroleum products (including coastal movement) at 0.76 mt (1.25 mt) recorded 39 per cent drop. Also, the containerised exports have remained suspended for over a month now following differences over freight between the exporter and the shipping line concerned.

"We sincerely hope that our appeal to major users will not go unheeded," observe port sources, adding, "we're keen that the fertiliser factory reopens and production and therefore imports resume at the earliest."

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