India's cargo traffic at major ports up 5% in April-Dec '09

Cargo traffic at the 12 major ports increased by 5.14 per cent to 411.95 million tonnes for nine months ending December 31, 2009 compared with 391.82 million tonnes in the corresponding period last year.

However, the ports missed the target of 430 million tonnes set by the Shipping Ministry by nearly 19 million tonnes.

Interestingly, except for Kolkata (both the Kolkata Dock System and the Haldia Dock System put together), Ennore and New Mangalore, all the other nine major ports saw an increase in traffic. “It is a very good sign for the port sector, which many thought would face pressure in volume,” said an official of the Chennai Port Trust.
The growth in volume was mainly attributed to an increase in the handling of ‘other cargo' and iron ore during the nine months.

Shipments of ‘other cargo,' which includes general cargo such as foodgrains, increased by nearly 20 per cent to 70 million tonnes (58 million tonnes), and iron ore up by 9 per cent to 89 million tonnes (73 million tonnes), according to data released by the Indian Ports Association.

While handling of fertiliser (both raw and finished), containers and coking coal saw a decline in the volume, handling of thermal coal and POL (petroleum, oil and lubricants) saw an increase.

Source: www.thehindubusinessline.com