The Paradip Port Trust (PPT) once again repeated its feat of handling 100 million metric tonnes (MMT) of cargo for the second fiscal year in succession on Tuesday. With 26 more days to go, the port is likely to handle the targeted 110 MMT cargo set by the Ministry of Shipping for FY-2018-19.

The achievement of 100-MMT cargo handling in consecutive two years showed the commitment of the port towards its customers and the country as a whole. With the handling of 100.04-MMT cargo, the port has achieved a growth rate of 5.86% over the corresponding period of 2017-18 when it had handled about 94.5 MMT.

In terms of absolute growth in tonnage, the increase of 5.57 MMT of cargo over the last fiscal is the highest amongst the country’s all Major Ports achieved so far.

The major growth drivers of the cargo at Paradip in the current financial year are the handling of POL and coastal thermal coal which are showing a growth rate of 9.86% and 20.49%, respectively over the corresponding period of 2017-18.

The achievement of 100-MMT of cargo is despite the fact that two of the port’s existing berths are not available for handling of cargo as they are under mechanisation process.

For the feat, PPT Chairman Rinkesh Roy congratulated the user-industries for their continued faith in the ability of the port to serve them with challenges emerging from the neighbouring non-Major Ports.

Also congratulating the employees and officers of the port for their continued commitment to work, he too appreciated the support of Union Government authorities like the Ministry of Shipping and Indian Railways and the Odisha Government for the port’s achievement.