KoPT posts 7.79 % drop in traffic in FY13

Kolkata Dock System posted a 3.5% fall in traffic at at 11.8 mt in 2012-13

Kolkata Port Trust (KoPT) has registered  a 7.79% drop in traffic in 2012-13 at 39.88 million tonnes (mt) as compared to 43.25 mt in the previous fiscal.

Kolkata Dock System (KDS) posted a 3.5% fall in traffic at  at 11.8 mt in 2012-13.

Haldia Dock, on the other hand, handled 28.08 mt during the fiscal, registering a drop of 9.4%. According to officials, Haldia Dock is likely to post a deficit of over Rs 200 crore in 2012-13 as against a surplus of Rs 90 crore in the previous year. According to officials, apart from sharp drop in cargo movement, the exit of cargo-handler India-French joint venture Haldia Bulk Terminal (HBT) from Haldia in November last yaer, too, partially have contributed to the revenue loss.

"HBT handled mechanised cargo at berths two and eight from which KoPT used to earn Rs 150 a tonne. This was much lower than charges other non-mechanised berth. In fact, KoPT itself on an average charges around Rs 233 per tonne. Hence, the exit of  HBT certainly to have an adverse effect to KoPT's revenue," an official said.

KoPT, meanwhile, is yet to get a replacement of HBT. After failing to get a replacement for of  HBT in the first attempt, Kolkata Port Trust (KoPT) has decided to go for re-tendering to find a operator in  two mechanised berth in its Haldia port.