New Mangalore Port emerges largest LPG handling port in India

Mangalore, April 3: New Mangalore Port has registered a growth of 4.42 per cent in cargo handled in current fiscal year (2011-12) at 32.94 million tonnes as against 31.55 million tonnes in 2010-11. The number of vessels handled by the port also increased to 1136 from 1097.

Revealing this at a press meet here on Tuesday, The Chairman of NMPT Tamilvanan said the The bright spot in cargo handling last fiscal came when NMP emerged as the largest LPG handling port among major ports in India by handling record quantity of 2.07 million tonnes, Tamilvanan said. Container traffic handled consistently increased by 12.08% by handling a record number of 45009 TEUs as against 40158 TEUs in 2010-11. Port also registered newer highs in handling coffee, raw cashew, wax candles, edible oil, and project cargo.

Mr Tamilvanan said the container traffic consistently increased by 12.08 per cent by handling a record number of 45,009 TEUs as against 40,158 TEUs in the previous year. The highest container traffic of 1512 twenty equity units (TEUs) in a single voyage on November 11, 2011. Container rakes started operation between Bangalore and Mangalore on December 18, 2011.

He said, highest quantity of 1,44,621 tonnes of coffee was exported. Highest quantity 1216 TEUs of wax candles was exported. Highest quantity 1,24,253 tonnes of raw cashed handled in 2011-12.

Record LPG traffic of 2.07 million tonnes handled in 2011-12 surpassing the earlier of 1.91 million tonnes in 2010-11 with the growth rate of 8.23 %. Record LPG traffic of 2 Lakh tonnes handled in July 2011 which is the highest quantity of LPG handled in a month surpassing the earlier record of 1.83 lakh tonnes in Dec 2011. Highest quantity of coal handled in 2011-12 surpassing earlier record of 2.85 million tonnes in 2010-11. Grab operation of timber logs commenced from Feb 2 ,2012. Highest quantity of 6.58 lakh tonnes of edible oil handled surpassing earlier record of 5.94 lakh tonnes in 2009-10.

Mr Tamilvanan said the mechanised handling of coal commenced in Nov 2011. Heaviest ODC cargo of 770 metric tonnes handled in 2011 -12. Highest quantity of 3.55 lakh tonnes of project cargo handled in Sep 2011. Highest number of 10,620 passengers in 17 cruise vessels were handled in 2011-12 as against 14 vessels with 5854 passengers in 2010-11.

The chairman said that for the consecutive fifth year, the Port revenue crossed Rs 300 crores mark. For the seventh consecutive year the Port's net surplus crossed Rs 100 crore (Rs 123 crores). The government loan of Rs 40.26 crores has been repaid. TAMP approved the revised scale of rates effective from April 1, 2012. For the first time TAMP also approved introduction of per ton levy in lieu of percentage basis levy and collection of wages w.e.f April 1, 2012.

He said, the construction of POL berth worth Rs 79 crore, coal handling facility for UPCL at Rs 230 crore, improvements to Port roads and development of storage yards, 3 ton forklift procured during March and additional 7 numbers of channel buoys deployed are some of the development works at NMPT. In an attempt to boost business NMPT in association with FKCCI held trade meets at Bangalore, Mysore, Madikeri, Hassan and Kannur emphasizing the updated developments in the port to stakeholders in the hinterland to augment accelerated movement of cargo, he added.

The chairman said, during the financial year 2011-12 the Port conducted several in-house training programmes for the officers and employees through NIPM/IIPM/NITK and Port faculty. A separate pollution control cell headed by qualified marine engineers is operating at the port whose main activity is to prevent and combat all types of pollutions and the cell conducts environmental studies with the help of NITK Suratkal and continuous inspection of harbour waters ensured to take prompt action to mitigate and combat pollution incidents.

He said tree about 20,000 saplings were panted in the port area during the last two years. As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility it has contributed Rs 5 lakhs for a project which establishes protection of rare, endangered and threatened medicinal plants of Western Ghats at Pilikula Nisargadhama on the outskirts of Mangalore.