The Paradip Port Trust has surpassed the target of 69 million tonnes (MT) of cargo fixed by the Ministry of Shipping for 2014-15 by handling 69.11 MT by March 22. During the corresponding period of the previous year, the port had handled 66.22 MT. The port has posted a growth of 4.38 per cent in traffic throughput during the current financial year. The port is retaining its second position amongst all Major Ports in terms of traffic handling.
The port has handled 29.30 MT of thermal coal, a growth of 17.08 per cent; 7.65 MT of coking coal, an increase of 8.68 per cent; and 4.20 MT of fertiliser raw materials, a growth of 6.78 per cent; compared to the same period previous year. The PPT has signed a concession agreement on March 7 with the Paradip International Cargo Terminal Pvt ltd (PICT) for development of a multipurpose clean cargo terminal of 5 MMTPA through PPP mode on build, operate and transfer (BOT) basis.
It has also issued a letter of award to the consortium of JSW and South West Ports limited for developing a 10-MMTPA capacity iron ore terminal. The Essar Paradip Terminal ltd will also develop a 10-MMTPA fully mechanised coal import terminal. With these projects and mechanisation of the existing five berths, the total capacity of the port will be enhanced to 177 MMTPA from the existing 108.5 MMTPA by 2019. After dredging the berth face of the Central Quay-II to 14.5-mtr deep during the financial year, now both Central Quay-I & II with 14.5-mtr draught are equipped to handle panama-size vessels of 95,000 DWT.
PPT Chairman MT Krishna Babu and Deputy Chairman N Vaiyapuri appreciating the performance of the port surpassing the target with the record throughput, conveyed their gratitude to the Union Ministry of Shipping, the Odisha Government, the East Coast Railway, stevedores, exporters, importers, steamer agents, the district administration, port trustees, port users and trade unions along with all the employees and other stakeholders who are connected directly or indirectly for achieving the outstanding performance.