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While 12 major ports in the country witnessed a year-on-year growth of six per cent in traffic during April to July, three, namely, Kolkata, VO Chidambaranar (Tamil Nadu), and Mormugao (Goa) port trusts outpaced the sector, registering more than 20 per cent growth, according to Indian Ports Association. In the past financial year, too, these three ports had outpaced the sector.
Chidambaranar registered the highest growth of more than 27 per cent, followed by Mormugao (23.5 per cent), and Kolkata (23 per cent). Analysts say these ports achieved better growth during April to July compared to the corresponding period a year ago on the back of domestic requirements for thermal coal for the power sector, coking coal, and increase in container movement.
These 12 major ports handled 202 million tonnes (mt) during April to July, compared to 191 mt during the corresponding period a year ago.
R P S Kahlon, chairman, Kolkata Port Trust, said, "There were many reasons behind our growth. We did aggressive marketing for our port and at the same time we improved our evacuation and connectivity facility. In addition, we maintained a draft of 7.5 to eight metres during the period compared to 7.5 metres a year ago. This has resulted in attracting many vessels, since an extra draft of 0.1 metre can accommodate 650 tonnes of additional cargo."
The Kolkata Port Trust has reported a 23 per cent growth in traffic to 16.8 mt during April to July against 13.7 mt during the corresponding period a year ago. In the past year, it registered a growth of 12 per cent against the sector growth of 4.65 per cent. According to the data, the Kolkata Dock System handled an increase of 15.3 per cent in traffic at 5.2 mt compared to 4.5 mt a year ago. The Haldia Dock Complex reported a 26.7 per cent growth in cargo at 11.6 mt during the period.
Chidambaranar handled 13 mt during the period compared to 10.2 mt during the corresponding period of the past year.
Mormugao Port Trust handled 5.4 mt in April to July, compared to 4.4 mt a year ago. Cyril C George, acting chairman & deputy chairman, Mormugao Port Trust, said, "After the iron-ore ban, we put our effort in attracting other cargo.
At the same time, we improved our evacuation facility for coal. Our effort helped us attract new cargo such as bauxite and granite, in addition to coal."
April to July, traffic in New Mangalore Port Trust fell 5.83 per cent and in Visakhapatnam Port Trust it fell 10.5 per cent. Kamarajar Port (formerly Ennore Port) registered a 10.5 per cent increase in traffic. Jawaharlal Nehru and Visakhapatnam port trusts registered less than the sector average growth.
According to ICRA, major ports in the country are likely to achieve better growth in the current financial year compared to a year ago.
The 12 major ports in the country registered a modest growth of 4.7 per cent in cargo to 581 mt in FY15, on account of weaker cargo performance.
K Ravichandran, senior vice-president and co-head, corporate ratings, ICRA, said, "In the past financial year, the growth at major ports was down, due to continuing mining restrictions in major states such as Karnataka, Goa, and Odisha, and other policy measures such as imposition of export duty.
Apart from the petroleum oil and lubricants segment, all other cargo categories, including containers, fertilisers, coal and others showed growth in volumes at major ports."
