New Mangalore Port (NMP) has witnessed increased container throughput in the current financial year so far. Already 13,320 TEUs have been handled, as against 9,646 TEUs handled in the entire fiscal of 2005-06, Exim News Service reported.
According to an NMPT release, an increasing number of coffee exporters have started using the Port, thanks to the rigorous marketing drives taken up by the Port Trust at various locations in its hinterland. Just last month, it had organised a mega trade meet at Kushalnagar, reputed to be the coffee granary of India.
Rail traffic to and from the Port is also seeing significant growth, the release points out, with the commencement of goods traffic through the Mangalore-Hassan broad gauge line. In 2006-07 thus far, 21.45 lakh tonnes of cargo have moved through rail, compared to 15 lakh tonnes in the whole of 2005-06.
The release underscores that the marshalling yard at Panambur is humming with activity subsequent to the strengthening of the old railway lines. Freight charges for destinations such as Shimoga and Davanagere have been considerably reduced due to the utilisation of the HMRD line, it discloses.
The release highlights that 27,718 tonnes of limestone were discharged from the diverted vessel m. v. Atlantic Fortune, and the cargo moved in 8 rakes to Bellary for Jindal Steel.
Fertiliser and coal traffic at the Port has also been showing an upward trend. During the current fiscal (up to December 31, 2006), 7.60 lakh tonnes of fertiliser and 6.29 lakh tonnes of coal were handled, registering growth rates of 61 per cent and 64 per cent, respectively, over the corresponding period of 2005-06.
This was made possible, the release points out, due to the reduced freight charges for moving cargo to various hinterland destinations through the Mangalore-Hassan broad gauge line.
Recently, the vessel m. v. Ocean Eagle, discharged 71,000 ton-nes of coal for projects located in Dharwad.
Also, a new road from the MDL yard to Berth No. 14 was commissioned recently as part of providing more infrastructure facilities for the smooth handling of cargo for shipment.
Another area that is rapidly gaining importance at the Port is cruise shipping. It was a thrilling experience recently for two groups of tourists who celebrated Christmas and New Year’s Day on board the cruise vessels m.v. Island Sky and m. v. Hebridean Spirit, respectively.
The tourists were also taken to places of historical and religious interest in the hinterland during their call at the Port.
m. v. Hebridean Spirit is the 5th vessel to call at the Port during the current cruise season, and more are expected in the coming months, according to the release.
Mr P. Tamilvanan, Chairman of NMPT, while conveying his New Year’s greetings to all Port employees, cargo handling workers, trade union leaders, Trustees and Port Users, appealed for continued cooperation so that the Port could achieve more laurels in 2007.