Apr 13, 2017: The 12 major ports under the Ministry of Shipping handled a record 647.43 million tonnes of traffic in 2016-17, registering an annual growth rate of 6.79 percent, as against 4.32 percent last year. With this, these ports have out- performed private ports for the second consecutive year. The private ports have registered a traffic growth rate of 4 percent this year.
The top position in cargo handling was retained by Kandla Port that handled 105.44 million tonnes of cargo, registering a growth of 5.39 percent over last year. This was followed by Paradip Port with 88.95 million tonnes of cargo handled, and an impressive growth rate of 16.45 percent. Mumbai Port holds the third position with 63.05 million tonnes of cargo handled and growth rate of 3.17 percent. JNPT recorded highest ever handling of 4.50 million TEUs during 2016-17. The port owned terminal, JNPCT, achieved highest ever handling of 1.53 million TEUs during the year, registering a growth rate of 7.33 percent.
Iron-ore traffic attained the highest growth rate of 163.67 percent. Other miscellaneous and general cargo grew by 18.53 percent and petroleum, oil and lubricants (POL) products by 8.16 percent.
In terms of operating surplus too, the major ports have shown highest ever achievement in 2016-17. JNPT net surplus has crossed Rs 1300 crore as against Rs 1091 crore of 2015-16. Kandla Port posted its highest ever net surplus of Rs 651 crore during 2016-17, an increase of 54.4 percent over last year’s profit of Rs 422 crores.
For the first time ever, JNPT raised Foreign Denominated Loan of $400 million. It became the first major port to raise foreign currency loans. Kamarajar Port Limited (Ennore) is also in the process of raising $100 million foreign currency loan. This mode of financing at low interest rates and natural hedging has been followed in the major ports for their infrastructure development for the first time.
The major ports have also recorded the highest ever capacity addition of 100.37 million tonnes during 2016-17. The capacity of major ports during 2015-16 was 965.36 million tonnes per annum. This crossed 1065 million tonnes per annum during 2016-17.
In respect of development of port infrastructure, 56 projects have been awarded with a capacity of 103.52 million tonnes per annum against a target of 102 million tonnes per annum with an investment of Rs 9490.51 crore during 2016-17.
The efficiency indicators in major ports are also improving steadily. During 2016-17, total turn-around time came down to 3.44 days as against 3.64 days during last year. Likewise, average output per ship berth day has gone up to 14583 tonnes as against 13748 tonnes during last year.
Major ports have been benchmarked to international standards. 116 initiatives were identified. Out of these, 70 initiatives have been implemented and remaining will be implemented by 2019. This has resulted in unlocking 80 million tonnes per annum capacity.