Our Bureau

Mangalore , Nov. 24

THE trade meet organised by New Mangalore Port Trust (NMPT) at Hospet in Bellary district on Tuesday received good response from iron ore exporters and mine owners from the region with most of them favouring the railway connectivity to the port from the hinterland.

Mr P. Tamilvanan, Chairman of NMPT, told Business Line here on Thursday that more than 140 iron ore exporters and mine owners from Bellary, Hospet, Sandur and Chitradurga attended the trade meet. He said that the completion of Hassan-Mangalore railway line - which is expected by the end of December - would help in bringing more iron ore cargo to the port, as most of the queries at the meet were based on railway connectivity to NMPT.

The participants were also informed about the completion of work on deep-draught multipurpose berth with a draught of 14 metres. This will help accommodate vessels of bigger size. They were also informed about the mechanised cargo handling facilities to be installed at the berth on BOT (build, operate, transfer) basis.

Mr Tamilvanan urged the mine owners and iron ore exporters to utilise these new facilities at the port.

The NMPT, in association with the Chamber of Commerce and mine owners and iron ore exporters, conducted the meet.

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