SOMM-Freshers Nite

Port capacity set to cross 1 billion tonne mark

Indian port sector is all set to touch a milestone with the combined capacities of all major and non-major ports crossing the one-billion tonne mark in September.

According to port officials, the nation-wide capacity today stands at 996 million tonnes. With Gujarat Maritime Board facilities adding 19 million tonnes next month, the total capacity in the country is headed to rest at 1015 million tonnes.

It is a momentous occasion for the country and its maritime industry and the ministry is planning to celebrate it in style. However, there is a flip side to the story. The major chunk of the contribution to the growth in capacity has come not from the government-controlled 12 major ports but from the non-major ports, led by those managed by Gujarat Maritime Board.

For example, the total capacity available with the 12 major ports as on June 30, 2010 was 619.88 million tonnes, non-major ports’ contribution was 355.06 million tonnes. Of the 355.06 million tonnes capacity, Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB) controlled ports alone contributed to 243.64 million tonnes.

The capacities available at non-major ports as on June 30, 2010 were: Gujarat (243.64 million tonnes), Andhra Pradesh (49.14 million tonnes), Maharashtra (28.28 million tonnes), Goa (13.90 million tonnes), Karnataka (9.20 million tonnes), Puducherry (4.30 million tonnes), Andaman & Nicobar Islands (3.23 million tonnes), Orissa (2.00 million tonnes), Tamil Nadu (1.2 million tonnes), Kerala (0.17 million tonnes) and Daman & Diu (0.005 million tonnes).

According to Capt Sandeep Chandra Mathur, chief nautical officer of Gujarat Maritime Board, three facilities would contribute a total of 19 million tonnes capacity from next month. They are: Essar jetty at Magdalla, Adani’s solid cargo terminal at Dahej and Kribco jetty at Magdalla, which is being revived.

The total capacity of the ports has grown 84.4% from 135 million tonnes in 2000-01 to 244 million in 2009-10.

If the progress made by GMB ports so far is incredible, they have much reason to look forward to.