Improved cargo volume handled at govt ports indicate pick up in economic activity

NEW DELHI: The traffic (cargo volume) handled at 12 government-owned major ports during Covid pandemic is rebounding. While there was 23.25% reduction of the cargo handled in May this year as compared to the last year, in July the decline was 13.23% compared to the corresponding period in 2019.
The import and export cargo at major ports is an important indicator of the pick up in economic activity. According to Indian Ports Association data, the cargo volume handled by all these ports between April and July was 18.06% less than last year. The data show during this financial year 193.38 million tonnes (MTs) of cargo was handled from 236 MTs a year ago.
Till June 30, these ports had reported a 19.7% decline in the total cargo handled. “There has been a significant revival of cargo traffic at the ports. As economic activities have restarted across the country and globe, we expect more handling of cargo at the major ports,” said an official.
The latest data show that barring Mormugao port, the remaining 11 major ports reported volume declines in the April-July compared to the same period in 2019. Kamarajar port (Ennore) posted the maximum fall of 35.64%.
All the commodities except iron ore including pellets and raw fertilisers reported decline in volumes during this financial year. The growth was reported 24.27% more than last year.