The Hindu Business Line : Major ports see 7.53% rise in Q1 cargo traffic

CARGO traffic at major Indian ports witnessed a 7.53 per cent increase during the first quarter ended June 2004 compared to the previous corresponding quarter. The ports handled 857.82 lakh tonnes of cargo during April-June 2004, against 797.74 lakh tonnes during the June 2003 quarter.

The overall traffic, however, was short of the 878.59-lakh-tonne target fixed for the June 2004 quarter, according to an Indian Ports' Association (IPA) report.

The ports of New Mangalore, Mumbai and Tuticorin not only witnessed a surge in cargo handling during the June 2004 quarter compared to the June 2003 quarter, but also surpassed the targets.

The New Mangalore port's cargo volume swelled, posting a 37.89 per cent growth in volume during the June 2004 quarter to 75.80 lakh tonnes (54.97 lakh tonnes). It also surpassed the target of 60.83 lakh tonnes for the quarter by 24.61 per cent.

The Mumbai port saw a 20.05 per cent increase in cargo traffic during June 2004 to 76.16 lakh tonnes (63.44 lakh tonnes), and surpassed the target of 70.24 lakh tonnes by 8.43 per cent. The Tuticorin port witnessed an 8.69 per cent increase in volume during the June 2004 quarter to 37.52 lakh tonnes (34.52 lakh tonnes). It also surpassed the target of 35.47 lakh tonnes for the quarter by 5.78 per cent.

Ennore, the country's first corporatised port, and Mormugao were the only ones that saw a decline in cargo traffic during June 2004 compared to the previous corresponding quarter. They also failed to meet the target fixed for the quarter.

The Ennore port's cargo handling declined by 2.27 per cent during the June 2004 quarter to 24.58 lakh tonnes (25.15 lakh tonnes). It also fell short of the 27.67-lakh-tonne target by 11.17 per cent.

During the June 2004 quarter, the Mormugao port saw a 0.37 per cent drop in cargo throughput to 64.95 lakh tonnes (65.19 lakh tonnes).

It also fell short of the 74.05-lakh-tonne target by 12.29 per cent, the IPA report said.