Paradip port cargo traffic up 16 per cent in 2016-17

Paradip Port Trust (PPT) has handled an all-time high cargo throughput of 88.95 million tonnes (mt) in 2016-17, up 16.46 per cent year-on-year over FY16. The cargo volume handled by Paradip port is the second highest among all major ports in the country after Kandla.

The port’s operating revenue showed a growth of 15 per cent in last financial year whilst operating ratio improved to 54 per cent. The surge in the port’s cargo was driven by the rebound in iron ore traffic and also POL cargo comprising crude oil, LPG and lubricants. 

For the first time, PPT handled 17,495 tonne of aviation turbine fuel (ATF). Steel cargo shipped through the Paradip port surged by 588 per cent in 2016-17 at 0.76 million tonne compared to 0.11 million tonne in the year-ago financial year. PPT has rationalised the labour levy of steel cargo which resulted in handing off a record cargo of 0.14 million tonne of hot rolled (HR) coils loaded on March 23 this year.

Again, for the first time, 11,951 tonnes of pet coke produced in the Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL) refinery, Paradip was shipped to Orient Cement Ltd through coastal shipment on February 28, 2017. Coastal trade between the port and Bangladesh also commenced in December 2016. PPT handled its maiden shipment of thermal coal from Eastern Coalfields Ltd (Asansol) and Central Coalfields Ltd (Dhanbad).

During FY17, the port performance parameter-berth-day output improved to 23,139 tonne with 12.24 per cent growth and the berth occupancy is 66 per cent as against 67 per cent of the previous year despite handling of 16.46 per cent more cargo to lead the port at par with the international standards. A record quantity of 8.34 mt of cargo handled during March 2017, surpassing the previous record of 8.06 mt handled during July- 2016.

The port has taken up a host of projects to increase the capacity from existing 126.94 million tonne per annum (mtpa) to 325 mtpa by 2025. Among the ongoing projects of the Paradip port include the development of a multi-purpose berth to handle clean cargo and containers at an estimated cost of Rs 430.78 crore. 

This project is expected to be operational in December 2018. A deep draught coal berth, with a capacity to handle 10 mtpa, is also being built on BOT (build, own and transfer) basis at a cost of Rs 655.56 crore. A deep draught iron ore berth also planned on BOT basis, at a cost of Rs 740.19 crore and is expected to be operational in March 2019.