New Mangalore port targets coffee belt for Madikeri meet

Considering the vast potential of coffee cargo in the hinterland areas such as Kodagu, Chikmagalur and Hassan districts of Karnataka, the New Mangalore Port Trust (NMPT) is planning to conduct a trade meet at Madikeri in Kodagu district on February 19.

Sources in the port told Business Line that these three districts put together generate nearly 50,000 TEUs (20-foot equivalent units) of container cargo. Of this, a major share is contributed by coffee cargo.

The port handled nearly 95,000 tonnes of coffee cargo during the current financial year as against nearly 54,000 TEUs in the previous fiscal.

With this background, NMPT is venturing to organise a trade meet with curing house operators, exporters, growers, and trade fraternity along with mainline operators, they said.

Mr Praveen Kumar Bangera, President of the Mangalore Steamer Agents' Association, said that the February 19 trade meet will help attract more coffee cargo to New Mangalore.

cashew trade

Citing the example of cashew trade, he said the cashew importers, under the leadership of the Karnataka Cashew Manufacturers' Association, consolidated the cargo at the points of origin in East and West Africa.

mainline vessels

This paved the way for the calling of mainline vessels at the New Mangalore port.

The port, which started with one mainline vessel three years ago, is now handling more than six to seven mainline vessels a year. This is because of the efforts made by the cashew importers along with the shipping line, he said. With the direct calling of vessels the freight rate is coming down for export cargoes also.

Mr Bangera suggested that coffee trade should follow the same strategy. “Same efforts we require from the coffee exporters who can consolidate the cargo and send them to Mangalore,” he added.

Port officials hoped that more than 100 people ranging from curing house operators, exporters, growers, and mainline operators are expected to attend the trade meet on February 19.

The trade meet is being organised in association with Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry, and Kodagu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, they added.