Cargo traffic rose by 5.04 per cent to 433.86 million tonnes (MT) at 12 major ports during April-December 2014 as compared to the same period of previous year.
These Centre-run ports had handled 413.06 MT of cargo during April-December 2013.
According to the latest data, Kandla Port handled the maximum 70.85 MT of cargo during the period, which was up 7.22 per cent againts 66.08 MT during April-December 2013.
Paradip Port handled 53.52 MT, the second highest cargo traffic during the first nine months of the current fiscal. The port had handled 50.85 MT during the same period a year ago.
JNPT at Mumbai handled 48.07 MT while Visakhapatnam port handled 43.79 MT of cargo during April-December.
Chennai handled 39.78 MT, Kolkata 32.37 MT, New Mangalore 27.10 MT, VO Chidambaranar 23.30 MT, Kamarajar (Ennore) 22.62 MT, Cochin 15.99 MT and Mormugao 10.26 MT during the April-December period.
In growth wise, Mormugao port registered the highest growth of 19.89 per cent during the period followed by Kamarajar port with 14.27 per cent growth.
There are 12 major ports under the control of the Centre besides 187 minor/intermediate ports under the jurisdiction of states along the 7,517 km long coastline of the country.
The 12 major ports - Kindle, Mumbai, JNPT, Marmugao, New Mangalore, Cochin, Chennai, Ennore, V O Chidambarnar, Visakhapatnam, Paradip and Kolkata (including Haldia) handle approximately 61 per cent of the country's total cargo traffic.
