The non-major ports in Gujarat have registered a traffic growth of 12.34 per cent over last year with cargo handling rising from 206 million tonnes in 2009-10 to 231 million tonnes in 2010-11.
This traffic growth was also significant compared to growth rate of 1.1% achieved in this FY upto February 2011 by the major ports administered by the central government, a statement issued by Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB) said.
Commenting on the performance of the non-major ports of Gujarat, Pankaj Kumar, chief executive officer and vice-chairman, GMB said, "I am sure that this year will be an inflection point, from which GMB will show next phase of significant growth in port sector."
Major traffic growth was achieved by the ports at Mundra (old), Mundra (new), Bhavnagar, Sikka, Dahej by registering a growth of 55 per cent, 28 per cent, 523 per cent, 8 per cent and 14 per cent.
Mandvi port observed a complete change in the traffic as total traffic handled was 2.15 lakh tonnes at the port against almost nil traffic reported in the previous year. The container traffic has also shown significant growth at Mundra and Pipavav with 38 per cent growth in total tonnage handled.
Meanwhile, the total port capacity of the Gujarat's non-major ports grew by 16 per cent this year, reaching 284 million tonnes per annum compared 244 million tonnes last year.
This capacity addition was achieved due to expansion of Magdalla jetty with a capacity of 15 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA) by Essar group, coal terminal at Mundra to 15 MMTPA, Fifth berth by Reliance group at Sikka with 5 MMTPA, solid cargo terminal at Dahej with 3 MMTPA, block wharf at Okha with 1MMTPA and revival of KRIBHCO jetty with 1 MMTPA.