Paradip & Kandla Ports notch up most impressive throughput growth rates in June

Cargo picks up for 2nd straight month
The 12 Major Ports have shown positive growth rates for the second consecutive month in June, indicating early signs of economic recovery.
They registered a 8.6 per cent increase in cargo volumes this June, compared to June 2008, according to figures released by the Indian Ports’ Association (IPA).
The highest growth was seen at Paradip Port, with 36 per cent growth, followed by Kandla Port with 25 per cent growth year-on-year.
Most of the increases were in terms of import containers, while exports remained sluggish.
"Export containers that carry consumer goods have still not seen demand pick up. However, volumes of scrap and waste paper that come to India have seen an increase," observed Mr J. N. Das, Director, Liner and Passenger Services, Shipping Corporation of India (SCI).
Container traffic on a month-on-month basis at Major Ports saw 4.2 per cent growth in June, which followed 3.4 per cent growth in May, after a 4.4 per cent drop in April.
Chennai Port experienced a 12.7 per cent growth in June and the largest container port, JN Port also posted positive results in June.
Nevertheless, the higher import container volumes are reported to be causing congestion. "With import volumes going up, we are now facing shortage of railway wagons to move the containers from the port and liners have to pay the charges," Mr Das said.
"With trade going up, cargo is available to be moved, but the low rates that we have to charge hamper business," he