But, during the year 2007-08, iron ore exports dropped nearly 263,000 tonne to 35,92,900 from 38,75,000 in 2006-07. The total berth cargo sharply fell from 68,80,901 tonne in 2006-07 to 64,96,580 tonne.
KSPL started iron ore cargo handling in 2003-04 by exporting 22,449 tonne. The cargo is exported to China from Hospet (Karnataka state) through the Kakinada Deep Water Port. According to sources, the cargo is being diverted to the newly constructed Krishnapatnam port as it is closer to Hospet.
The port also registered a decline in the imports of Ammonia, coal, diesel, furnace oil, naphtha, sulfuric acid, motor spirit and phosphoric acid in 2007-08 compared with the previous year. However, import of ammonium nitrate, edible oil and wood pulp cargo increased.