New Delhi, Jul 30 (IANS): Essar Bulk Terminal Ltd (EBTL), that operates the 50 million tonne per annum (MTPA) bulk terminal in Hazira, Gujarat, on Tuesday announced a 22 per cent growth in its third-party business during the first quarter ended June, on a year- on-year basis.

The company achieved an overall cargo throughput of 7 million tonnes (MT) in the first quarter of the financial year 2019-20, of which 1.1 MT was third-party cargo, the company said in a statement, adding that the share of third-party cargo in overall cargo volumes also rose to 15.7 per cent.

The statement also said that the overall cargo growth was up 2.9 per cent.

"There is a significant upswing in the region's economic activity and the Hazira terminal is well placed to capitalise on the opportunity. The focus on operational efficiencies and increase in third-party cargo will be major catalysts in fuelling future growth," it said.

Essar Ports' current operations span four terminals with a combined capacity of 110 MTPA. Having clocked a throughput of 40 MT in fiscal 2018-2019, Essar Ports is expecting to handle over 60 MT in the current financial year, it added.