Cargo traffic rises 6.3 pc to 108 MT at major ports in Apr-May

State-run 12 major ports recorded 6.3 per cent growth in cargo handling at 107.52 million tonnes in April-May 2016 on account of measures like mechanisation of the terminals and quick evacuation of cargo.
"The slew of measures taken by the Ministry of Shipping to improve performance of ports has started to yield positive results. The major ports in India handled 107.52 MT (million tonnes) of cargo during April-May 2016 and showed a positive growth of 6.3 per cent," the ministry said in a statement.
The measures included mechanisation of the terminals, improving the TAT (turn-around time), quick evacuation of cargo, expansion of infrastructure and skill development of employees, it said.

"Out of the 107.52 MT of cargo handled during April-May this year, 55.1 MT was handled in the month of May alone, showing a growth of 3.3 per cent," it said.
Mormugao Port Trust recorded the highest growth in traffic (105.6 per cent) followed by Paradip Port Trust (15.3 per cent), Vishakhapatnam Port Trust (13.5 per cent), New Mangalore Port Trust (2.8 per cent) and Kandla Port Trust at 2.1 per cent.
The main reason for growth in traffic at Mormugao Port was increase in iron ore traffic which grew to 1.7 MT in May 2016 as against 0.09 MT in the same month a year ago.