Paradip Port may post growth in cargo handling

Reports indicate that Paradip Port may handle more cargo in 2012-13 that what it handled in 2011-12. However, the port may not be able to meet the target of 63 million tonne (mn t) set by the union shipping ministry.

In 2011-12, the port registered 54.2 mn t cargo handling. During Apr-Dec 2012, the port handled 45 mn t cargo, which is 1 mn t more than what was achieved during the corresponding period last year.

The port could handle 45 mn t cargo in spite of slump in iron ore export. In order to overcome the decrease in iron ore traffic, the port chalked out a plan to diversify its cargo profile to ensure growth.

Sudhansu Sekhara Mishra, Chairman of PPT said the port was taking up new projects as well as concentrating on new cargoes for traffic growth. The cargo handling in fertilizer and crude oil has been encouraging this year.

In order to meet the challenges that are being faced by the countryÂ’s major ports, Paradip Port has drawn up a series of steps to become cost effective and improve efficiency by installing high capacity cargo handling equipments and increasing depth of the harbour with a target to handle 250 million tonnes of cargo by 2020, Mishra added.

The port plans to raise capacity to 250 mn t with 28 berths by 2020 at an estimated investment of around Rs 10,000 crore. After completion of the capacity expansion work, the port would be one of the countryÂ’s top most ports.

Unavailability of land required for expansion of the port, poor rail connectivity and recurring lawlessness in and around the port township have turned problematic for the authorities concerned, Mishra said.