New Mangalore Port handles record containers

November 15, 2011

Mangalore, November 15: A record qty of 1512 TEUs were handled at New Mangalore Port in a single voyage in the container vessel- MV Tampabay, which called at the Port on November 9. This is the highest number of containers ever handled at the port from a single voyage surpassing the earlier record of 1436 TEUs handled on March 7, 2009 from the vessel MV Elbe Trader.

Out of the total 1512 TEUs, 934 were imports and 578 exports. Major items of import are raw cashew and export consists of coffee, cashew kernels, fish and fish products, candles, etc. M/s Atlantic Shipping are the Feeder Line Operators and M/s Delta Infralogistcs Pvt. Ltd. (HML) the agents of the vessel.

Chairman Dr. P. Tamilvanan has stated that the port is witnessing steady growth in container traffic thanks to the pro-active marketing efforts made by the Port management coupled with the infrastructure addition created during the past few years like expansion of container yards, container handling equipments like reach stackers, increased number of reefer plug points, concretization of roads, simplified documentation system etc. This has yielded positive results in fostering the container movement to the port from the hinterland which is evident from the fact that from 9646 TEUs handled in 2005-06, it has grown to 40,158 TEUs in 2010-11. During the current year 2011-12(as on date) 30,454 TEUs handled as against 25,709 TEUs handled during the corresponding period of previous year.

Container traffic at NMPT got a shot in the arm when the first consignment of 40 feet container with Garments/Linen exported through New Mangalore Port on 7-3-2011 in the container vessel MV OEL Trust.

The consignment of 4237 packets of cotton processed garments/linen produced at the Hassan SEZ by M/s Himatsingka Seida Ltd. has been exported to USA. This is for the first time garments are handled at the Port. The Mainline operators are M/s CMA CGM and the handling agents M/s Cargolinks. The total transit time will be 28 days.

Dr Tamilvanan, has attributed the handling of this new cargo, hitherto moving through neighbouring ports, to the pro-active marketing efforts made by the Port at various locations of the hinterland during the last few years coupled with the Infrastructure additions made for the smooth handling of containers. He has added that the above garment unit, which is a 100% export oriented one is expected to move their entire consignment of export to the tune of 25 TEUs per month through New Mangalore Port. The container traffic at the Port has crossed 36000 TEUs during the current year (as on date) with a growth rate of 27%.

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Mangaluru’s KPT becomes India’s first autonomous govt polytechnic

News Network

January 23,2026

Mangaluru: The Karnataka Government Polytechnic (KPT), Mangaluru, has achieved autonomous status from the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), becoming the first government polytechnic in the country to receive such recognition in its 78-year history. The status was granted by AICTE, New Delhi, and subsequently approved by the Karnataka Board of Technical Education in October last year.

Officials said the autonomy was conferred a few months ago. Until recently, AICTE extended autonomous status only to engineering colleges, excluding diploma institutions. However, with a renewed national focus on skill development, several government polytechnics across India have now been granted autonomy.

KPT, the second-largest polytechnic in Karnataka, was established in 1946 with four branches and has since expanded to offer eight diploma programmes, including computer science and polymer technology. The institution is spread across a 19-acre campus.

Ravindra M Keni, the first dean of the institution, told The Times of India that AICTE had proposed autonomous status for polytechnic institutions that are over 25 years old. “Many colleges applied. In the first round, 100 institutions were shortlisted, which was further narrowed down to 15 in the second round. We have already completed one semester after becoming an autonomous institution,” he said. He added that nearly 500 students are admitted annually across eight three-year diploma courses.

Explaining the factors that helped KPT secure autonomy, Keni said the institution has consistently recorded 100 per cent admissions and placements for its graduates. He also noted its strong performance in sports, with the college emerging champions for 12 consecutive years, along with active student participation in NCC and NSS activities.

Autonomous status allows KPT to design industry-oriented curricula, conduct examinations, prepare question papers, and manage academic documentation independently. The institution can also directly collaborate with industries and receive priority funding from AICTE or the Ministry of Education. While academic autonomy has been granted, financial control will continue to rest with the state government.

“There will be separate committees for examinations, question paper setting, boards of studies, and boards of examiners. The institution will now have the freedom to conduct admissions without government notifications and issue its own marks cards,” Keni said, adding that new academic initiatives would be planned after a year of functioning under the autonomous framework.

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