Cargo traffic at major ports rise 1.7% in April

The country's major ports recorded a 1.7 per cent growth in cargo traffic at 56.81 million tonnes (MT) in April, official data showed.

"The major ports in India have recorded a growth of 1.78 per cent and together handled 56.81 million tonnes of cargo during the period April 2018 as against 55.82 million tonnes handled during the corresponding period of previous year," the Shipping Ministry said in a statement.

The nine ports-Kolkata (including Haldia), Paradip, Visakhapatnam, Kamarajar, Chennai, Cochin, New Mangalore, JNPT and Deendayal - registered positive growth in traffic during the month.

The highest growth was registered by Kolkata (12.56 per cent), followed by Kamarajar (12.08 per cent), New Mangalore (11.41 per cent), Paradip (11.12 per cent) and Chennai (7.55 per cent).

In Kolkata Port, overall growth was 12.56 per cent, it added.

India has 12 major ports Kandla, Mumbai, JNPT, Marmugao, New Mangalore, Cochin, Chennai, Ennore, V O Chidambaranar , Visakhapatnam, Paradip and Kolkata (including Haldia) which handle approximately 61% of the country's total cargo traffic.