Following a significant slump in volumes of iron-ore due to mining restrictions and policy issues, cargo growth at Indian ports was subdued in 2011-12 with total throughput registering five per cent year-on-year increase to 930 million tonnes, according to credit rating agency, ICRA Ltd.
Major ports experienced a two per cent de-growth in cargo handling to 560 million tonnes in FY12 mainly due to their higher exposure to iron-ore. The non-major ports, by virtue of a more diversified cargo mix and higher efficiency standards, gained 18 per cent in terms of cargo volumes year on year.
As a result, in market share terms, major ports accounted for 60 per cent of total throughput in FY12 compared to 64 per cent in FY11, while the share of non major ports was up at 40 per cent in FY12 from 36 per cent a year ago.
The agency has said the long-term growth outlook for the Indian port sector continues to be strong over the medium to long term driven by the domestic requirements of coal for power and other sectors; crude oil for meeting domestic petroleum requirements and containers given the cost and logistical advantages associated with containerisation.