MPT needs to augment capacity, says chairman

Mormugao Port Trust (MPT), which handles 35 per cent of India's iron ore export, needs to augment capacity to meet the increasing global demand, said Chairman Pravin Agarwal.

"Other ports are increasing their capacity and we need to compete with them by ramping up ours," he said, adding, "the port had handled a record 31.69 million tonne of traffic, including 25.31 million tonnes of iron ore in 2005-06".

He said that all 12 major ports are augmenting their capacity as they, along with the smaller ports, are gearing up to meet a target of handling $150 billion worth of exports by 2008-09.

Though Goa-based MPT has increased its share in iron ore exports, its national share in this field has decreased as other ports have increased their capacity.

"Capacity augmentation of ports is being reviewed by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO)," he said adding, "earlier the thrust was on the road networks and now the PMO is concentrating on ports especially sea ports as 92 per cent of cargo is handled by ports worldwide".

Following Vizag and Chennai ports, MPT has been sought after by ships as it has acquires 14 metres depth for its berths.

"We want to deepen approach channel and berth no 9 to 15.1 metres on built-own-transfer (BOT) basis," Agarwal said.