Date:21/10/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/10/21/stories/2005102101890900.htm

Back Bulk cargoes shore up Mumbai port traffic

N.K.Kurup

The port has handled a total volume of 19 m.t. during the first half of the current fiscal against 16.78 m.t. in the year ago period.

Mumbai , Oct. 20

STEEL, fertiliser, pulses and other bulk cargoes are driving up traffic throughput at the Mumbai port, which has registered a growth of more than 17 per cent during the six months ended September 2005 compared to the corresponding period last year.

Volume of iron and steel cargo increased 32 per cent to 2.4 million tonnes (m.t.) while fertiliser rose 87 per cent to 75,000 tonnes, a port official said.

The port has handled a total volume of 19 m.t. during the first half of the current fiscal against 16.78 m.t. in the year ago period.

"This is a significant achievement for the port considering the volume of annual traffic that had plunged to 26 m.t. a couple of years ago. This fiscal, the port is expected to handle 38 m.t., three m.t. more than last year,'' said Mr V. Ranganath, Traffic Manager, Mumbai port.

Besides handling traditional cargoes, the Mumbai port has emerged as a major hub for export of motor vehicles.

Up to September 30, the port has handled 28,000 vehicles and the target for the full year is 60,000 vehicles against 35,000 last year. Major vehicle makers such as Tata Motors, Maruti and M&M using the port, are expected to increase their export this year, said a port official.

"Projects export is another area where the Mumbai port is in an advantageous position," said Mr Ranganath.

Companies like L&T brings large size machinery by barges for export. The port has the facility to load them directly to ship for exports, he said.

However, there has been a drop in container traffic. The port has handled only 85,000 TEUs as on September end as against 1.2 lakh TEUs in the corresponding period last year and 2.15 lakh TEUs in the full year.

Mumbai seems to be losing out to the neighbouring JN port and the Nhava Sheva private terminal. A port official agreed that several shippers prefer the direct service being offered by main line operators from these ports to the US and Europe.

Liner operators from Mumbai normally use the transhipment route through Singapore or Sri Lanka, taking longer voyage time. The proposed Rs 1,200-crore offshore container terminal in Mumbai, which is expected to be ready by 2008, may change the scene.