MPT handled record traffic throughput of 31.69 m tonnes- Agarwal

Panaji, Apr 18 (UNI) Mormugao Port handled an all time record traffic throughput of 31.69 million tonnes during 2005-06 exceeding the previous year's throughput of 30.66 million tonnes, thereby registering a growth of 3 per cent. The target set by Ministry of Shipping was 34.00 million for the year under report.

Speaking to mediapersons here today on the performance and development of Mormugao Port Trust( MPT) Chairman Praveen Agarwal said of the total throughput of 31.69 million tonnes, export accounted for 25.61 million tonnes and imports 6.08 million tonnes, recording an increse of 0.59 m tonnes in export and 0.44 million tonnes in imports respectively.

He said Mechanical ore handling plant despite many constraints, handled a quantity of 11.90 million tonnes of iron ore during the fiscal 2005-06 as against 12.41 m tonnes of iron ore in 2004-05.

Loading in mid-stream by transhipper maintained an upward trend by handling a record quantity of 9.45 million tones as against the previous best of 8.89 million tonnes in 2004-05, an increse of 6 per cent. General Cargo traffic also increased to 5.02 million tonnes during the year under report as against 4.48 m tonnes in 2004-05, recording an increase of 12 percent. A cargo of 3.75 million tonnes was handled at Mooring Dolphins as against 3.16 million tonnes on 2004-05, an increase of 19 per cent.

Mr Agarwal also said during 2005-06, 29279 cruise passengers arrived in Mormugao port, which is 'quite good' by past record.

Considering the increasing demand for cruising among Indians, Star Cruises began operating India's first ever liner Super Star Libra, home ported in Mumbai, in October, 2005. Out of 61 calls( 29279 passengers), of cruise vessels at this port during the fiscal, 51 calls( 26665 passengers) were made by Super Star Libra and 10 calls (2614 passengers) were made by other international cruise vessels.

Many other lines have shown interest which include Indian cruise lines, costa cruise lines and carnival lines, Mr Agarwal added. MORE UNI SRN ADG MP RAI1643