Major ports witness 5.1% growth during Apr-Sept 2016-17

The Dollar Business Bureau 

The measures taken by the government to improve the performance of ports are showing results as the key ports in India recorded a growth of 5.1% in handling cargo during the first six months of financial year 2016-17 as against the same period in the last fiscal.

The cargo traffic handled by the major ports during the period April-September 2016-17 was 315.4 million tonnes compared to 299.5 million tonnes handled during the same period last year.

“The major ports in India handled 315.4 million tonnes of cargo during the first six months of FY 2016-17 (April-September) and showed a positive growth of 5.1% as compared to the same period last year. The cargo traffic handled by the major ports during the same period last year was 299.5 million tonnes,” said a statement by Shipping Ministry on Thursday. The improvement in the performance of ports is the result of several steps initiated by the Ministry, the statement added.

The measures taken by the ministry include mechanisation of the terminals, quick evacuation of cargo, improving the TAT (turn-around time), skill development of employees and expansion of infrastructure.

Mormugao Port witnessed the highest growth in cargo traffic handled during the period April-September, with an increase of 61%, followed by Paradip Port at 18.3%, Vishakhapatnam Port (11%), Kandla (7.1 %), Cochin (5.2 %), V.O. Chidambaranar (3.5%), New Mangalore Port (3.4%) and Chennai Port (0.3%), it said.