The Hindu Business Line : Mumbai port set to exceed cargo target

In the nine months ended December, the port handled 33.16 million tonnes of cargo, higher by 27 per cent over 26.07 million tonnes in thesame period last year. However, the volume of container fell from 1.67 lakh TEUs to 1.23 lakh TEUs.

Mr A.K. Bal, Deputy Chairman, said that the 27 per cent growth in traffic is significant considering the major ports' average growth of 17 per cent during the period.

Liquid cargo (mainly crude and lubricants), which accounts for over 65 per cent of the total traffic, is the major contributor to the traffic growth.

The two oil terminals - Butcher island and Pir pav - together handled 22 million tonnes of liquid cargo.

If the trend continues, the port will end up with a record traffic of over 42 million tonnes by March 2006 against 35.13 million tonnes last year, said Mr V. Ranganath, Traffic Manger.

"In the nine months we handled 33 million tonnes. We hope to handle 10 million tonnes more in the next three months."

Vehicle exports: Export of motor vehicles, which has emerged potential growth area for the port, has registered a growth of 65.55 per cent in terms of number of vehicles exported. The port handled 42,872 vehicles in the past nine months.

Another major cargo was imported pulses, which registered an increase of 26.78 per cent.

Iron and steel went up by 24.17 per cent and lube oil 7.05 per cent. Chemicals rose by over 85 per cent but from a small base and rock phosphate by 9 per cent.

Since the traffic growth is in bulk and break-bulk cargo, the incremental revenue that generates for the port would be lower as compared to containerised cargo. But the port is expected end the year with substantial operating surplus.

A spokesperson for the shippers' association said that the cost of container handling is still higher at Mumbai port; coupled with poor road connectivity and other infrastructure constraints, it is less attractive compared to JN Port.