JNPT crosses 5 mn TEUs of container handling in 2018

Country's leading container port Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) Friday said it handled over five million TEU of container traffic in 2018.

The state-run company recorded a 7.24 per cent growth in both container and bulk cargo volumes during 2018 to 5.05 million TEU, it said in a statement issued here.

In December 2018, JNPT handled 4.45 lakh TEUs, which is the highest container volume handled in a month, ever recorded, it said.

During AprilDecember 2018, the traffic handled so far is 3.81 million TEUs and with the last quarter of the financial year underway, JNPT is well on course to exceed the performance numbers of 2017-18.

"Bulk cargo grew 8.41 per cent to 8.57 million tonne against 7.9 million tonne in the previous calendar year. Liquid cargo's share rose to 7.54 million tonne in 2018 compared to 7.01 million tonne in 2017," the release stated.

JNPT had achieved a record traffic of 4.83 million TEUs for the year ended March 2018 and was also the first port to cross Rs 1000-crore profit mark.

"Looking at the performance till December, JNPT is well on course to exceed these numbers from the last financial year and close 2018-19 on yet another record high," the company said.

While JNPCT handled 11.79 lakh TEUs, APM Terminal recorded 20.77 lakh TEUs, DP World (NSICT and NSIGT) handled cumulative of 14.60 lakh TEUs and BMCTPL handled 3.34 Lakh TEUs during the calendar year.

"JNPT has been consistently improving its volume and turnover as many trade friendly measures implemented by the port is fully supporting the EXIM trade community. Several steps under ease of doing business and introduction of direct port delivery (DPD) system have substantially contributed in increasing the volume of traffic handled by the port," the company said.

Currently, close to 43 per cent of the cargo handled is routed through DPD system which not only saves time and cost for the trade, but also elevates JNPT at par with global standards.