Paradip Port handles record cargo in 2012-13

"This exhibited a growth of 4.24 per cent during 2012-13. The port could achieve this feat due to its diverse activities," PPT Chairman S S Mishra told reporters here on Monday.

Other commodities took a significant stride to upset the impact of steep decline in iron ore export. "There was rise in the traffic of thermal coal, petroelum oil lubricant (POL), TEU (20-feet Equivalent Unit)", Mishra said.

While thermal coal traffic increased from 16.40 MT to 21.39 MT, POL traffic has gone from 1509 MT to 16.47 MT, container traffic from 0.11 MT to 0.17 MT and other cargos from 5.76 MT to 7.63 MT, PPT authorities said.

"There is sign of revival in international market. We hope iron ore export through PPT will pick up soon," Mishra said, adding that port authorities have taken impressive strides in the realm of improvement of performramnce parameters.

Mishra also claimd the port has achieved several operational records in terms of cargo handling in 2012-13.

In capacity addition, two Single Point Moorings SPM II and SPM III of 11 MMTPA capacity has been commissioned by IOCL in the port water to handle very large crude carriers.

Claiming that Paradip Port at present has the highest capacity amongst all major ports, the Chairman said the port's capacity increased from 80 MMTPA to 102 MMTPA in 2012-13.

Keeping an eye on the future requirements, Mishra said the port has taken up many projects to increase the capacity from existing 102 million metric tonnes per annum to 252.50 million tonnes per annum by the year ending 2020.

The berthface dredging of Central Quay 1, Coal Berth 1 & 2 and Oil Jetty to 14 mts draft was completed to accommodate fully loaded Panamax Vessels of 80,000- 90,000 DWT size, he said, adding that the port has initiated proposals to dredge another five berths to 14 meters draft to handle Panamax vessels.

He said the capital dredging works being undertaken by the Port to increase draught of entrance channel, approach channel and berthface to facilitate handling of 1,25,000 DWT size vessels are on the verge of completion.

PPT has also got environment and forest clearance for one iron ore berth and one coal berth of 10 MTPA capacity each to be taken up on BOT basis through PPP mode, he said, adding, the Port has engaged RITES to prepare feasibility report for setting up inland container depot. It has invited Expression of Interest for handling liquid cargo containers, Mishra said.

Regarding corporate social responsibility (CSR), he said the Port has taken up developmental projects for welfare of employees and general public.