In encouraging news for the Mormugao Port Authority, the port witnessed the fastest growth in cargo movement among all major ports in the country in 2023-24.
The port has also seen a slight increase in cruise passenger arrivals this year, at one point handling three cruise vessels on the same day.
The increase in business bodes well for the financially-weak port, which depends on export and import cargo for its survival.
“Last year (2022-23), the port handled around 17.3 million tonnes and this year (2023-24) the port crossed 19.5 million tonnes, and we will be touching around 21 million tonnes this year, which is a 20% growth over the last year,” said MPA chairman N Vinod Kumar at CII’s annual meet.
Kumar said that this is the highest growth among the 12 major ports in India. This, however, is because of the port’s low base.
The port, which was founded in 1885, used to handle more than 50 million tonnes in a year when iron ore mining was at its peak.
In the absence of iron ore mining, the port has shifted to coal import and export of iron ore, steel, molasses, and other general cargo. The port also handles petroleum products and other liquid cargo.
Kumar has another reason to be optimistic. He expects the harbour mobile cranes to be commissioned and ready for operations by Aug-Sep, which will enable the port to handle container cargo.
The cruise sector has also seen steady recovery since the pandemic, and the port has seen more vessels docking at the port.
He said that the real benefit of the cruise industry would come when Goa is designated as a home port by international and domestic cruise lines.