Kochi port throughput drop 3.34% in 2008-2009
The Kochi port has registered a marginal fall of 3.34 per cent in its cargo throughput as it handled 15.23 million tonnes during the financial year 2008-2009 compared with 15.75 mt in the previous fiscal. The shortfall is mainly attributable to a fall in the uptake of crude oil by BPCL-Kochi Refinery, which imported 82,11,820 tonnes of crude in 2008-09 against 87,55,916 tonnes in the previous year, thereby, registering a shortfall of 5,44,096 tonnes (6.21 per cent).
Petro products
The export of finished petroleum products by the refinery also fell 10.36 per cent to 22,79,963 tonnes (25,43,484 tonnes). The ban on import of palmolein through Kochi had also adversely impacted the port’s performance, a statement said.
Container traffic
However, the container traffic had registered an increase of 2.66 per cent. The total number of containers handled in 2008-09 was 2,60,473 TEUs (2,53,715 TEUs). Increase in terms of tonnage is 2.27 per cent registering 3.26 mt (3.18 mt). The global economic slowdown did affect the container traffic, as the growth of container movement which had registered a high growth in the first half of the year, fell drastically towards the end of the year, resulting in a lower growth rate.
As regards other traditional cargo including containers, the port handled 44,71,796 tonnes (41,84,037 tonnes), registering an increase of 6.88 per cent. The quantities of logs, LPG and gypsum handled at the port in the year under review were higher than in any previous year.
Items such as salt, sulphur, phosphoric acid, urea and muriate of potash also showed appreciable increase in throughput with reference to previous year. Some new cargoes such as river sand and slag were also handled at the port during the year.
The port handled 36 cruise passenger vessels during the year under review, the largest number in the country.
On the whole, the port has been able to cross a number of significant milestones and achievements in 2008-09. Some of the major achievements during the year under review were:
Awarding of all work in connection with the ICTT Project, Vallarpadam, including those for rail/road connectivity and deepening of channels; signing of concession agreement with Petronet LNG Ltd for setting up the LNG terminal; signed agreement with Indian Oil Corporation Ltd for setting up a LPG terminal; the Kochi port became the country’s first e-port; a modern vessel traffic management system (VTMS) commissioned for advanced navigational safety and security; completed reconstruction and expansion of the BTP berth, (327 m long and 23 m wide); commissioned new 110 kV electric substation and modernisation of the electricity supply infrastructure in Willigdon Island.
Petro products
The export of finished petroleum products by the refinery also fell 10.36 per cent to 22,79,963 tonnes (25,43,484 tonnes). The ban on import of palmolein through Kochi had also adversely impacted the port’s performance, a statement said.
Container traffic
However, the container traffic had registered an increase of 2.66 per cent. The total number of containers handled in 2008-09 was 2,60,473 TEUs (2,53,715 TEUs). Increase in terms of tonnage is 2.27 per cent registering 3.26 mt (3.18 mt). The global economic slowdown did affect the container traffic, as the growth of container movement which had registered a high growth in the first half of the year, fell drastically towards the end of the year, resulting in a lower growth rate.
As regards other traditional cargo including containers, the port handled 44,71,796 tonnes (41,84,037 tonnes), registering an increase of 6.88 per cent. The quantities of logs, LPG and gypsum handled at the port in the year under review were higher than in any previous year.
Items such as salt, sulphur, phosphoric acid, urea and muriate of potash also showed appreciable increase in throughput with reference to previous year. Some new cargoes such as river sand and slag were also handled at the port during the year.
The port handled 36 cruise passenger vessels during the year under review, the largest number in the country.
On the whole, the port has been able to cross a number of significant milestones and achievements in 2008-09. Some of the major achievements during the year under review were:
Awarding of all work in connection with the ICTT Project, Vallarpadam, including those for rail/road connectivity and deepening of channels; signing of concession agreement with Petronet LNG Ltd for setting up the LNG terminal; signed agreement with Indian Oil Corporation Ltd for setting up a LPG terminal; the Kochi port became the country’s first e-port; a modern vessel traffic management system (VTMS) commissioned for advanced navigational safety and security; completed reconstruction and expansion of the BTP berth, (327 m long and 23 m wide); commissioned new 110 kV electric substation and modernisation of the electricity supply infrastructure in Willigdon Island.