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Notwithstanding a 1.72 per cent decline in cargo throughput in 2010-11, the Paradip Port Trust (PPT) has chalked out an ambitious plan to raise capacity over three times to 237 million tonnes by 2020.
“The port will increase its capacity from 76 million tonnes to 237 mt by the year ending 2020 to become the number one port in the country, elevating its position from fifth place,” PPT Chairman, Mr G.J. Rao told presspersons.
The main additions in capacity include 22 mt for oil by Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), 75 mt for iron ore and coal at the western dock and 20 mt for an LNG terminal, he said.
Similarly, there are plans to establish one oil jetty and multipurpose berth with 15 mt capacity, Mr Rao said, adding the port also intends to undertake massive dredging works to facilitate handling of 1,25,000 DWT size vessels by dredging channels, basins, entrance channel and a turning circle, the PPT Chairman said.
Though traffic dropped marginally to 56 mt in 2010-11 from 57.01 mt in 2009-10, the capacity enhancement would be undertaken keeping in view future requirements, Mr Rao said.
The drop in cargo-handling was primarily due to reduced throughput of 2.31 mt of iron ore and 1.54 mt tonnes of thermal coal exports, while all other cargos showed an increasing trend, he said, stressing that infrastructure enhancement is a “buzzword for any port.”
Listing the achievements of the port, Mr Rao said a record quantity of 3.29 lakh tonnes of cargo was handled in a single day on December 2, 2010, surpassing the previous record of 3.24 lakh tonnes on March 11, 2009.
A record quantity of 1,117,628 tonnes of crude oil was imported during December, 2010, surpassing the previous record of 1,102,538 tonnes during October, 2009, he said.
Similarly, an all-time record of 3,295,646 tonnes of total cargo was imported during March, 2011, as against the previous record of 3,055,751 tonnes in July, 2010, Mr Rao said.
On new cargo addition, the chairman said for the first time, 7,878 tonnes of motor spirit was exported from the port in December, 2010.
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