Paradip Port handles record cargo of 116.13 million metric tonnes in FY 2021-22
By Our Correspondent
Paradip, April.1: Paradip Port achieved highest record of cargo handling of 116.13 million metric tonnes during the financial year 2021-22 ,surpassing the previous best achieved during the year 2020-21 by around 114.55 million metric tonnes.
During this financial year the Iron Ore traffic dropped by around 30% due to international market conditions and poor demand for iron ore export. Despite that Paradip Port could register cargo handling by improving its performance in other commodities. Paradip Port handled 38% more thermal coal coastal shipping this year by putting in place improved operational protocols. A number of rakes handled in Mechanical Coal Handling Plant (MCHP) have improved by 25%
The port operating surplus improved by a remarkable 10% and operating margin has improved to 60%. The Operating ratio of the organization has improved to its best figure of 40%. During this financial year Paradip Port changed to Paradip Port Authority as per the new Major Port Authority Act of 2021.
During 21-22 Paradip Port has surpassed the target set of 109 crores for capital expenditure (IEBR) and achieved Rs.121 crores. To improve the port connectivity Haridaspur Paradip rail connectivity around 82 kms at cost of Rs.3200 crore has been commissioned which resulted in direct connectivity from Iron ore mining to Port.
During the last 7 years Paradip Port have commissioned the Projects worth of Rs.3200 crores under Port modernization. The clean cargo and container terminal with capacity of 5 MMTPA was commissioned at a cost of Rs.430 crores. The new Iron export terminal with a capacity of 10 MMTPA become operational at a cost of Rs.740crores. A new coal import terminal and coastal shipping coal terminal has also been commissioned during the current financial year at a cost of 2090 crores.
Under the Sagarmala Programme port based industrialization is also one of the pillars under port led industrialization. A Multi Modal logistic park at a cost of Rs.200 crores over 100 acres of land is under development. Paradip Port has allocated land for setting up 2 nos of Pellet plants and POL Tank Terminal at a cost of Rs.7000 crores. A new Tank Terminal for Numaligarh Refinery Ltd. for transportation of crude at cost of Rs.1500 crores is being set up.
Chairman Paradip Port has expressed his gratitude to Hon’ble Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sri Sarbananda Sonowal and Hon’ble Shipping Secretary Dr. Sanjeev Ranjan for their guidance, direction and support. He also thanked Ministry of Railways, Deptt. of Customs, Govt. of Odisha for their support to achieve the above performance. He also congratulated all the exporters and importers, PPP Operators, User Industries, Stevedores, Steamer Agents, Trade Unions and officers and staff for their continued faith on the ability of the Port facilities.
