The Paradip Port Trust (PPT) handled the highest-ever record traffic of 36.06 million tonnes (MT) in the first six months (April to September) in the current financial year compared to 34.35 MT handled during the corresponding period of the previous year. This is an increase of 5 per cent over the traffic handled during corresponding period of previous year and Paradip retained the second position among the country’s Major Ports.
During the period in the current fiscal up to September, thermal coal traffic increased by 8.71 per cent by handling 14.83 MT against 13.64 MT handled during the corresponding period of previous year. POl traffic also registered a growth of 6.40 per cent by handling 9.52 MT against 8.94 MT handled during the same period of previous year.
A total of 771 vessels handled in the port during the first six months of the current financial year against 692 vessels during the same period of the previous year. This is an increase of 11.41 per cent over the corresponding period of previous year.
With the support of East Coast Railways, the evacuation of imported cargo from the port has improved substantially as the port has been in a position to liquidate 312
pending indents which stood at 595 at the beginning of the year.
The port’s achievement is laudable considering the fact that it had suffered unprecedented spells of work stoppages last month.
PPT Chairman MT Krishna Babu and Deputy Chairman N Vaiyapuri appreciated the cooperation and support extended in achieving the record throughput and conveyed their gratitude to the Union Ministry of Shipping, the Government of Odisha, the ECoR, stevedores, exporters, importers, steamer agents, the district administration, trustees of the port, port users and trade unions along with all employees and other stakeholders who are connected directly or indirectly for overall progress of the port.