MbPT freight traffic up 27% in Apr-Dec

Riding on the robust growth in iron and steel traffic, the Mumbai Port Trust (MbPT) has posted a 27 per cent growth in traffic by handling 33.16 million tonne freight during April - December 2005 against 26.06 million tonne in the corresponding period last year.

Iron and steel traffic during April-December 2005 was at 34,63,000 tonne compared with 27,89,000 tonne in the corresponding period last year. Increase in coal, vehicles and other liquid cargo helped the port register an increase in tonnage.

"Though container traffic and edible oil cake handling have come down, the increase in petroleum, oil and liquid cargo helped Mumbai Port Trust to post 27 per cent growth in the period," a senior official said.

Lube oil and rock phosphate traffic has also gone up, he said.

However, edible oil handling at the port has declined to 3,46,000 tonne during the period (4,43,000 tonne).

Container traffic has also shown a slump to 1,23,720 twenty foot equivalent units (TEUs) during the period compared with 1,67,909 TEUs handled earlier.

The port is now in the process of developing an offshore container terminal (OCT) to boost container traffic on the build, operate and transfer (BOT) basis.

"January 9 has been fixed as the last date for submitting the request for proposal for the Rs 1,200 crore container terminal project," he said.

The Mumbai Port Trust has shortlisted 11 players for he project including Larsen & Toubro, HPH, Evergreen, Mitsui OSK Lines, P&O Ports Pvt Ltd, United Liner Agencies India , Gammon India, ABG Heavy Industries, Dubai Ports International, AP Moller Finance SA and Adani Exports.

Meanwhile, the port is planning to add a 47,500 sq ft car parking facility at its rail container depot at Cotton Depot for handling vehicle exports. At present, the port has a car parking facility of 50,000 sq mt at Gamadia at the Indira Dock.

P N Bahekar, senior assistant manager, Mumbai Port Trust, said the port is aiming at shipping over 60,000 vehicle units in the current fiscal against 40,000 units earlier.

"At present, we have already crossed the last year's figure. With three months remaining in the fiscal, we are confident of touching the 60,000 figure," Bahekar said.

For imports, Honda Motors, Nissan Motors and Maruti are also using MbPT facility with a total shipment of 2,000 a year.

"The Mumbai Port has estimated a revenue of Rs 15 crore from the vehicle shipment facility," he pointed out.