Iron ore, liquid cargo drive volume growth at major ports

Iron ore and liquid cargo shipments led traffic growth at major ports in April-September period of this financial year. 

During the period under review, iron ore cargo including iron ore pellets surged by 23.48 per cent. The ports at Kandla, Paradip, New Mormugao and New Mangalore were the major gainers from the spike in iron ore shipments. Iron ore traffic was boosted by revival in exports and also more movement of ore to the hinterland on robust demand.

After iron ore, liquid cargo comprising crude oil, LPG and LNG posted healthy growth for the major ports. Liquid cargo rose by 7.13 per cent in this period.

Despite the stellar cargo growth in iron ore and liquid traffic, major ports managed to post only 3.24 per cent growth at the end of  September. With 19.62 per cent growth, Cochin outperformed all other major ports. Ports on the eastern coast like Kolkata and Paradip registered traffic growth in upwards of 11 per cent. However, de-growth was observed in overall traffic volumes at Visakhapatnam, Kamarajar (Ennore), Chidambaranar and Mormugao ports, according to data by Indian Ports Association.

The deceleration in other key commodities like raw and finished fertilizers and coking coal contributed to the overall muted cargo growth. Raw fertilizers traffic slumped 4.2 per cent while the cargo figure for finished fertilisers was down by 2.55 per cent.

Thermal or steam coal shipments tanked by 16.37 per cent in the period, marking the single biggest fall by any commodity. Lesser volume of thermal coal was primarily due to decline in imports on better availability of domestic coal. 

During April-July, the country imported 67.7 million tonnes of coal, a decrease of 8.5 per cent compared with the same period of last financial year.