The Hindu Business Line : Major ports' cargo traffic rises 6.38 pc in Q1

Cargo traffic at the major domestic ports witnessed a 6.38 per cent increase during the first quarter ended June 2006 compared to the previous corresponding quarter.

The country's 13 major ports handled 106.61 million tonnes of cargo during April-June 2006 against 100.22 million tonnes during the June 2005 quarter.

Target

The overall traffic, however, was short of the Shipping Ministry's target of 115.21 million tonnes fixed for the June 2006 quarter, according to the Indian Ports' Association data. Out of the 13 major ports, seven showed a surge in traffic in the first quarter of the current fiscal.

Container traffic grew by 13.09 per cent during June this year to 12.91 lakh TEUs (20-foot equivalent units) compared to 11.97 lakh TEUs in the corresponding quarter of the previous year, the IPA data says.

Handling of finished fertiliser through major ports during June 2006 quarter declined by 30.19 per cent to 19.10 lakh tonnes. However, handling of raw fertiliser increased by 27.78 per cent to 17.59 lakh tonnes. Handling of thermal coal declined by 2.75 per cent to 93.14 lakh tonnes and coking coal saw a drop of 10.50 per cent to 54.43 lakh tonnes, according to the IPA data.