Goa-based major port Murmagao Port Trust (MPT) handled a total traffic of 16.99 lakh tonnes in June this year as against 11.63 lakh tonnes handled in the same month previous year, registering a growth of 46 per cent.
Traffic handled during April-June, 2016 by the port was 84.62 lakh tonnes as compared to 41.39 lakh tonnes handled during the corresponding period last year, which is a growth of 104 per cent.
The growth was fuelled by a significant surge in iron ore exports and coal imports during the first quarter. Container traffic increased by 31 per cent and general cargo by 8 per cent.
The Ministry of Shipping has initiated several measures to improve the performance of the ports which include mechanisation of the terminals, improving the TAT (turn-around time), quick evacuation of cargo, expansion of infrastructure and skill development of employees. The slew of measures taken by the Ministry of Shipping to improve performance of ports has started to yield positive results, said a spokesperson of the MPT on Tuesday.