Debasish Acharya
Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, May 25: After the operationalisation of Gopalpur port last year, total cargo traffic handled by Paradip and Gopalpur has slowly witnessed momentum. As per latest figures, these ports have seen 25 per cent rise in cargo traffic in the recent months. According to officials of Paradip Port Trust, the major port has seen such rise on the back of increased efficiency and smooth functioning of the port.
“Paradip port has handled 20 per cent more cargo traffic of 72.33 lakh tonne in April 2016 over the same period last fiscal,” Deputy Manager (Management Services) of Paradip Port, SR Beura told Orissa POST. He said that increased efficiency and smooth functioning of the port were the reasons behind such improved performance.
According to the official, the major port had handled 76.39 million tonne of cargo in FY16 against 60.78 million tonne handled in FY15. “We are hopeful of handling a total cargo of 80.10 MT by the end of next fiscal. This will be achieved on the back of likely increase in demand for iron ore and rising imports of crude oil,” Beura said. Climatic conditions will also play a role as normal weather will help in smooth functioning of the port.
Notably, Paradip port handled a record cargo traffic of 4.20 lakh tonne in a single day during March, 2016, surpassing its previous record of 4.02 lakh tonne.
“The port handled 23.76 MT of thermal coal, which was handled mechanically, during the year 2015-16 surpassing the previous record of 21.33 MT handled during 2014-15,” he said. It also witnessed 2.33 MT of iron ore pellet cargo during 2015-16.
Talking on this aspect, an official of Gopalpur port said that the port had handled 3.56 lakh tonne of cargo traffic till April 2016 since resuming operations. “Out of the total cargo handled, export cargo contributed 2 lakh tonne with rest coming from imports,” Director of Gopalpur Port, MM Moharana said. He also said the port is eyeing to handle 6 lakh tonne of cargo by June 2016.