New Mangalore Port recorded a growth of 12.25 per cent in cargo handling in the first five months of 2013-14. The port handled 15.76 million tonnes of cargo from April-August as against 14.04 million tonnes in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal (2012-13).

P. Tamilvanan, Chairman of the New Mangalore Port Trust (NMPT) told Business Line that crude oil and coal contributed to the growth in cargo handled during the period.

The port handled 5.78 million tonnes (5.30 million tonnes) of imported crude oil for Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd (MRPL) during the first five months. MRPL is one of the major users of the port.

There was also increase in the export of petroleum products from MRPL during the period. The port handled 3.20 million tonnes (2.63 million tonnes) of export cargo of MRPL.

Tonnage

There was an increase in the import of coal cargo during the period . The port handles coal cargo for the Udupi Power Corporation Ltd (UPCL) in the neighbouring Udupi district, and for other industrial units in other parts of the State.

The port handled a total of 3.86 million tonnes (2.38 million tonnes) of coal cargo during the period. Of this, the share of UPCL stood at 1.56 million tonnes (1.03 million tonnes) during the period.

Though there was a marginal increase in the tonnage of containers handled, the number of containers showed a marginal decrease. The port handled 3.08 lakh tonnes (3.03 lakh tonnes) of container cargo during the period. However, the number of TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) of containers stood at 21,530 TEUs (21,736 TEUs) during the first five months.

Raw cashew and coffee are the main container cargo items at the NMPT.

vinayak.aj@thehindu.co.in

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