New Mangalore Port handles record containers

Mangalore, November 15: A record qty of 1512 TEUs were handled at New Mangalore Port in a single voyage in the container vessel- MV Tampabay, which called at the Port on November 9. This is the highest number of containers ever handled at the port from a single voyage surpassing the earlier record of 1436 TEUs handled on March 7, 2009 from the vessel MV Elbe Trader.

Out of the total 1512 TEUs, 934 were imports and 578 exports. Major items of import are raw cashew and export consists of coffee, cashew kernels, fish and fish products, candles, etc. M/s Atlantic Shipping are the Feeder Line Operators and M/s Delta Infralogistcs Pvt. Ltd. (HML) the agents of the vessel.

Chairman Dr. P. Tamilvanan has stated that the port is witnessing steady growth in container traffic thanks to the pro-active marketing efforts made by the Port management coupled with the infrastructure addition created during the past few years like expansion of container yards, container handling equipments like reach stackers, increased number of reefer plug points, concretization of roads, simplified documentation system etc. This has yielded positive results in fostering the container movement to the port from the hinterland which is evident from the fact that from 9646 TEUs handled in 2005-06, it has grown to 40,158 TEUs in 2010-11. During the current year 2011-12(as on date) 30,454 TEUs handled as against 25,709 TEUs handled during the corresponding period of previous year.

Container traffic at NMPT got a shot in the arm when the first consignment of 40 feet container with Garments/Linen exported through New Mangalore Port on 7-3-2011 in the container vessel MV OEL Trust.

The consignment of 4237 packets of cotton processed garments/linen produced at the Hassan SEZ by M/s Himatsingka Seida Ltd. has been exported to USA. This is for the first time garments are handled at the Port. The Mainline operators are M/s CMA CGM and the handling agents M/s Cargolinks. The total transit time will be 28 days.

Dr Tamilvanan, has attributed the handling of this new cargo, hitherto moving through neighbouring ports, to the pro-active marketing efforts made by the Port at various locations of the hinterland during the last few years coupled with the Infrastructure additions made for the smooth handling of containers. He has added that the above garment unit, which is a 100% export oriented one is expected to move their entire consignment of export to the tune of 25 TEUs per month through New Mangalore Port. The container traffic at the Port has crossed 36000 TEUs during the current year (as on date) with a growth rate of 27%.