Cargo-handling at Visakhapatnam port touched 49.78 million tonnes during April-December 2010, which is 500,000 tonnes higher compared with the same period last year.
Of the cargo handled during the first nine months, the port witnessed a drop in petroleum products and thermal coal compared with last fiscal, while fertilisers and coking coal handling increased slightly. Container cargo increased by 500,000 tonnes.
In 2009-10, Visakhapatnam port handled 65.5 million tonne cargo, and for the current year, the shipping ministry has set a target of 70 million tonnes.
“This year, we will cross the last year’s cargo-handling figures, but it will not be possible to meet the ministry’s target of 70 million tonnes,” said a Vizag port official.
