NMPT hopes better performance in 2013-14

Mangalore, May 20: The New Mangalore Port during the beginning of the current fiscal year 2013-14 is showing upward trend in traffic. Upto 15-5-2013 the port has registered a growth rate of 31.65% by handling 5.09 million tonnes as against 3.87 million tonnes handled during the

corresponding period of previous year. The growth in traffic is attributable to the increase in  the handling of POL crude and products by MRPL, Coal, Fertilizer, Timber and containerized cargo.

The port is also witnessing upward growth in container traffic by handling 6144  TEUs during the current year (upto 15-5-2013) as against 3462  TEUs handled during the corresponding period of previous year with  a growth rate of 77.47%.

The Railway traffic increased by 27.60% by handling 9.29 lakh tonnes during the above  period under report as against 7.28 lakh tonnes handled during the corresponding period of previous year.

Largest parcel of 257 packages of machinery for SUZLON  was handled in the vessel  M.V. CLIPPER MARINUS  and the second wheat vessel M.V. SIMONA  called  at the Port in May 2013. The loading operation of 33,000 tonnes of wheat for export to Yemen is in full swing.

As many as 6 cruise vessels with 5627 passengers were called at the Port during April 2013 as against 3 vessels with 3800 passengers handled during the corresponding period of previous year.

The second Mainline Container vessel “M.V. KOTA HAPAS” is expected to call at the Port on May 22. (Colombo-Mangalore-JNPT).  The exporters can make use of their export consignments.

Meanwhile, Rakesh Mishra, General Manager, Southern Railways  visited the Port on May 9 and had discussions with the Port management. While expressing happiness over the increase in the rail bound traffic, the GM has discussed measures to increase rail borne traffic to/from NMPT.

NMPT Chairman P Tamilvanan had taken part in the Logistic Summit held at Coimbatore recently, where the Chairman highlighted the advantage  of the NMPT. The Coimbatore Trade expressed their keenness to route their cargo through NMPT.  CONCOR Senior Official while addressing the gathering has assured to operate a Train between Coimbatore and Mangalore, if Trade wants to move their cargo through NMPT.

As a part of adding up more infrastructure, Chairman, NMPT has laid foundation stone for the construction of 2 additional covered storage sheds for stacking bulk cargoes like wheat, maize, Fertilisers, etc.  These sheds with a total area of 7000 sq. mtrs can store upto 22,000 tonnes of cargo, informed a release from the Traffic Manager of NMPT.