Mangalore: NMP Emerges Largest LPG Handling Port in India
 
Pics: Ramesh Pandith
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (PS)
With Inputs from Media Release
 
Mangalore, Apr 3: New Mangalore Port in the 2011-12 fiscal handled 32.94 million tonnes of cargo as against 31.55 million tonnes in 2010-11, registering a growth of 4.42% over last year. The number of vessels handled also increased to 1136 from 1097. The growth is due to increase in handling of coal, POL crude, edible oil, timber, granite, containers etc, informed NMPT chairman Tamilvanan addressing reporters at a press conference held on Tuesday April 3.
 
He further said the port handled a record quantity of 2.07 million tonnes of LPG, thereby emerging as the largest LPG handling port in India. Out of total 42.50 lac tonnes traffic, 19.17 lac tonnes were handled in NMPT, he said.

Tamilvanan also said that though stoppage of iron ore hit the trade badly, coal and edible oil filled up the vacuum to some extent.
 
LPG traffic gained a percentage of 8.23 in 2011-12, POL crude gained 5.55 % traffic, POL products (MRPL) lost traffic by 1.49 %, coal gained traffic of 40.82 %, edible oil gained traffic by 13.25 %, fertilizer gained traffic by 2.61 %, iron ore fines lost traffic of 22.20 %, Iron Pellets (KIOCL) lost traffic by 18.60 %, timber gained traffic by 58.09 %, granite gained traffic by 173.94 %, gypsum gained traffic by 121.94 %, cement gained traffic by 4.42 %, hence making total percentage variation of 12.08 %. Tamilvanan said that NMPT has made good improvement with more cargo having started moving through the port.
 
"Construction of POL berth costing Rs 79.17 cr is under progress and half the work is completed. Also, work on the second cement terminal (Ambuja) is also under way. Work on berth No 13 is going on at a cost of Rs 79.17 crore. Heavy duty pavement behind the berth has been constructed, and beach road will have a facelift as Rs 3.25 cr has been set aside for it."
 
On finance front, he said port revenue has crossed Rs 300 crore for five consecutive years.
 
As many as 10,620 passengers in 17 cruise vessels were handled in 2011-12, the highest so far, as against 14 vessels with 5,854 passengers in 2010-11, Tamilvanan said.

Records and Achievements (2011-12)

- Highest container traffic of 45,009 TEUs in the year by surpassing earlier record of 40,158 TEUs in 2010-11(growth of 12.08%)
 
- Highest container traffic of 1512 TEUs in a single voyage( as against 1436 TEUs) on 11-11-2011
 
- Container rakes started operation between Bangalore–Mangalore on 18-12-2011.
 
- Highest qty of 1,44,621 tonnes(6786 TEUs) of coffee exported
 
- Highest qty of 1216 TEUs of wax candles exported.
 
- Highest qty of 1,24,253 tonnes(6534 TEUs) of raw cashew handled in 2011-12
 
- Record LPG traffic of 2.07 million tonnes handled in 2011-12 surpassing the earlier record of 1.91 million tonnes in 2010-11 with growth rate of 8.23%
 
- Record LPG traffic of 2 lakh tonnes handled in July 2011 which is the highest qty of LPG handled in a month surpassing the earlier record of 1.83 lakh tonnes in Dec.2011
 
- Record qty of 4 million tonnes coal handled in 2011-12 surpassing earlier record of 2.85 million tonnes in 2010-11.
 
- Grab operation of Timber logs commenced from 2nd Feb 2012
 
- Highest qty of 6.58 lakh tonnes of edible oil handled surpassing earlier record of 5.94 lakh tonnes in 2009-10.

- Mechanised handling of coal commenced in Nov. 2011
 
- Heaviest ODC cargo of 770 Metric tonnes handled in Sept.2011
 
- Highest qty of 53,801 tonnes of Project cargo handled in 2011-12

- Highest number of 10,620 passengers in 17 cruise vessels were handled in 2011-12 as against 14 vessels with 5854 passengers in 2010-11
 

Financial Highlights– 2011-12
 
- For the consecutive 5th year the Port Revenue to cross Rs 300 crores mark(Rs 367 crore)

- For the 7th consecutive year, the Port Net Surplus to cross Rs 100 crore(Rs 123 crore)

- The Govt. loan of Rs 40.26 crores has been repaid

- TAMP approved the revised scale of rates effective from 01-04-2012.

- For the first time TAMP also approved introduction of Per ton levy in lieu of percentage basis levy and collection of wages w.e.f. 01-04-2012
 
 
Business Development
 
In boosting the Business Promotion Drive, New Mangalore Port in association with FKCCI, Bangalore and other respective Chambers conducted trade promotion meets at Bangalore, Mysore, Madikeri, Hassan and Kannur emphasizing the updated developments in the Port to Importers/Exporters and Stakeholders in the hinterland to augment accelerated movement of cargo through New Mangalore Port. This effort yielded positive results and more cargo started moving through the Port. Particularly cargo from Shimoga, Hassan and coal from Bellary.
 

Pollution Control
 
A separate Pollution Control Cell headed by a qualified Marine Engineer is operating in the Port. The main activity of the cell is to prevent and combat all types of pollutions in the port and keep the port pollution free. This cell regularly conducts environmental studies with the help of NITK, Surathkal, and continuous inspection of harbour waters ensured to take prompt action to mitigate and combat pollution incidents. Being ISO 14001 certified port , the following measures implemented in combating pollution in port areas:-
 
- Tree plantation – 20,000 saplings were planted in the port area during the last 2 years.
 
- Road works – All the roads inside the Port area have been taken up for concreting. So far Rs 80 crores was spent for concreting roads.
 
- Regular water sprinkling inside and outside the port area is carried out.
 
- Regular cleaning of roads.
 

Welfare Measures
 
The Port is also keen in social welfare activities in and around Mangalore. The following are some of the activities the Port were taken up and implemented in 2011-12
 
- On the eve of Dr B R Ambedkar’s 120 th birthday, a free medical camp was arranged at Shree Narayana Guru Sabha Griha, Tokur, Kenjar, Pejavar. Around 200 patients ailing from various diseases were examined and free medicines were distributed.

- The Port Trust Hospital treated 47,027 patients(46,686 out patients and 341 inpatients) who includes the employees and their families during the Fy 2011-12. In addition to above, 756 patients were treated in various referral and approved hospitals.
 
- Pulse Polio immunization was conducted at the PTH on 19-2-2012 for the benefit of all children in the age group of 0 to 5 years in and around port.
 
- Free distribution of school uniforms, books, school bags, etc. for poor students of the nearby schools.
 
- Extending New CGHS Scheme to Port Pensioners was introduced. This renders specialized medical aid and help to 840 pensioners and their spouses.