Mormugao Port 2007/08 cargo handling up by 3% YoY

Mormugao Port Trust has handled a record cargo throughput of 35.13 million tonnes in 2007/08 up by 3% YoY as against 34.24 million tonnes in 2006/07.

Mr Praveen Agarwal chairman of Mormugao Port Trust expressed satisfaction at the performance of the port and pointed out that the major share of the traffic continued to be from iron ore exports of 27.33 million tonnes constituting 78% of the traffic. He said that The introduction of a trade promotion scheme whereby ships are permitted to load by their own gears at the West of Breakwater has had the desired results.

Mr Agarwal said that despite some operational constraints, competition from nearby ports and to some extent the imposition of export levy on iron ore of over 62% grade from March 2007, the traffic had registered a fair growth. He exuded the confidence that the port was expected to do better and iron ore exports are likely to touch 29 million tonnes in the new fiscal, though the Goa government has proposed to impose cess on transportation of iron ore from this financial year.

He said despite a record throughput, its provisional income declined to INR 271 crore in 2007/08 as against INR 276 crore in 2006/07, with corresponding net surplus of INR 32 crore as against INR 40 crore. It was due to the offering of more concessions to the customers and spending more on expansion and modernization.

While non ore cargo showed a marginal increase, the port faced a decline in cruise vessel traffic owing to its inability to provide a captive terminal for such vessels. The cruise vessel traffic at the port declined to 38 vessels with a mere 12,997 passengers.

Envisaging a major cargo traffic increase, Mormugao Port Trust has drawn up ambitious plans to expand its infrastructure and augment its cargo handling facilities. The plans include projects such as deepening the navigational channel, augmentation of capacity of its mechanical ore handling plant, construction of additional berths, 3 additional mooring dolphins, construction of a jetty for relocation of port crafts and small boats, rig repair facility, strengthening of breakwater mole, etc, all estimated to cost nearly INR 200 crore.

Source: Steelguru.com