BL reported that the throughput at the Haldia dock is on the decline. The dock handled a total of about 24.9 million tonnes so far in the current fiscal as compared to 31.9 million tonnes in the same period last year.

The biggest drop was registered in imported crude a decline of 6.4 million tonnes followed by iron ore exports, a decline of 700,000 tonnes. The coal import for steel plant too declined by 250,000 tonnes as also shipment of coastal coal for the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board almost by the same amount.

The drop in crude oil import was not unexpected. Ever since Indian Oil commissioned the single-point mooring off the Paradip port and started importing crude oil through the port, the import through Haldia started declining. Haldia's loss has been Paradip's gain.

However, the total coal import during the period was up largely because of the jump in imports by power houses, mainly National Thermal Power Corporation. Also, West Bengal Power Development Corporation for the first time started using, in small quantities though, coal imported through the Haldia dock.

The import of power-grade coal through the dock till now has been 1277000 tonnes. The jump is due to NTPC's decision to send imported coal for its power houses located at Rihand, Vindyachal and Naini in northern region.

Inquiries reveal that the dock is geared to load 12 to 13 rakes of imported coal a day against eight at present. Also, the availability of rakes , it is felt, will not be a problem. But where is the cargo?

The navigability problem in the Hooghly river has lowered the average parcel load of bulk carriers calling at the dock to around 20,000 tonnes against 26,000 to 27,000 tonnes previously for Handymax and to 26000 to 27,000 tonnes against 34,000 to 35,000 tonnes previously for Panamax vessels.

(Sourced from Business Line)