Reefer cargo is witnessing growth at New Mangalore Port Trust (NMPT), according to its Chairman, P. Tamilvanan.
In a press statement here on Monday, Tamilvanan said that NMPT is witnessing a record movement of reefer cargo in containers with the onset of fishing season in the coastal belt.
During September alone, 442 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) of reefer containers stuffed with fish were exported so far. Two more container vessels are expected to call at the port during the current week to handle this cargo.
He said that the port expects to export around 1,250 TEUs of reefer containers in the first six months of the current financial year.
These reefer containers are stuffed with fish such as mackerel, ribbon fish, shrimps and surmi paste. These are exported to countries such as China, Europe and Bangkok.
Reefer plug points
To meet the needs, the number of reefer plug points has been enhanced from 100 to 150, he said.
(A reefer cargo is the cargo carried in refrigerated containers. Reefer plug points are the electrical power points at the port for the benefit of refrigerated containers.)
He said that the export of cotton processed garments/linen produced at the Hassan special economic zone by Himatsingka Seide Ltd to US also stabilised with the regular movement of containers.
He said that the container traffic at NMPT also got a boost with the regular movement of liquid glucose and starch produced by Gujarat Ambuja Exports Ltd at its plant in Shiggaon taluk of Haveri district in Karnataka.
This company has committed to move approximately 100 containers of its cargo a month through New Mangalore port, he added.