Cochin Port achieved an all-time high cargo throughput of 17.43 million tonne in 2009-10, an increase of 12.5 per cent as against 15.49 million tonne in 2008-09.
Though its traditional cargo like coal, fertilisers and industrial declined by about 10 per cent, the deficit was compensated by higher volumes in liquid bulk, especially petroleum products, and in general cargo like cement, iron scrap and timber logs.
Container traffic was also up 11 per cent at 289,817 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units), as against 260,784 TEUs handled in 2008-09. Vessel traffic registered an increase of 18 per cent, a Cochin Port Trust release said.
The increase in cargo throughput brought in an additional revenue of Rs 6 crore in terms of wharfage alone.
The port hosted 44 cruise ships on international calls and seven high-seas overnight voyages — highest among all Indian ports so far.
For the present financial year, it has set a target of 19.11 million tonne cargo.