MUMBAI: Twelve major ports in the country have recorded a 5.53 per cent increase in cargo volume for the first five months of the current year, according to the Indian Ports Association.
This has raised doubts among the port users, whether the major ports would be able to touch the target of 695 million tonnes fixed by the Shipping Ministry for 2015-16.
Though the Ministry had set last year’s target at 604 million tonnes, major ports collectively were able to handle 581 million tonnes. Global slowdown and traffic congestion were attributed as reasons for missing the target.
During the first five months from April to August 2015, major ports handled 252.72 million tonnes of cargo against 239.49 million tonnes for the corresponding period last year.
Of the 12 ports, Visakhapatnam and New Mangalore reported a dip of 10 per cent and 4.24 per cent respectively in volumes, while Chennai and Cochin each handled one per cent less for the period under review.
Mormugao led the pack with 27 per cent rise in its volume, followed by V.O. Chidambaranar, Kolkata and Kamarajar ports.
Analysed sector-wise, the volumes of thermal coal, POL and other cargo were on the rise. Ports handled less volume of iron ore, raw fertilizer and coking coal, during the five month period.
In August, ports imported 82 million tonnes against 78 million tonnes, but it was down 1.5 per cent compared with July.
Shipping activity at Port Qasim on February 11
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