)
The Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB) has recorded 13 per cent increase in traffic at the 41 non-major ports under it for the year 2012-13.
According to an official release by GMB, the traffic at all its ports reached 293 MMT (million metric tonne) for year ending March 31, 2013, from 259 MMT in 2011-12 registering a growth of 13 per cent over the previous year.
The release further claimed that during the same period traffic at major ports declined by 2.6 per cent.
GMB has also increased its traffic handling capacity to 366 MT from 323 MMT by adding 43MMT in the year 2012-13. In addition to the traffic and capacity, GMB has contributed to other initiatives which include operationalizing of VTMS (vessel traffic management system) in Gulf of Kutch, cable stayed bridge connecting Bhavnagar to Bhal region, 108 emergency ambulance service at Alang Ship Recycling Yard.
GMB also participated in the 6th edition of Vibrant Gujarat Summit in January this year facilitating private investment for opportunities in Ports sector.
During the event 63 memorandum of understanding (MoUs)) for the investment in port sector were signed.
In ship recycling sector, 394 ships were recycled at one of the world's biggest ship breaking yards Alang in 2012-13. About 3.85 million tons of steel was extracted from the ships during the same financial year.
GMB will celebrate its 32nd Foundation Day on April 5, at its headquarters in Gandhinagar. On this day in 1982 GMB was constituted with the intention to develop State-owned ports.
