The Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port (SMP, Kolkata), formerly known as the Kolkata Port Trust, recorded an increase in cargo handling of 11.72% in the first half of 2022, from April to September.
SMP, Kolkata chairwoman Vinit Kumar stated the aim of exceeding pre-pandemic levels in terms of cargo handling during the current fiscal year while adding that the company handled close to 30.53 mt of cargo as opposed to 27.33 mt in the same period previous year. One of the largest cargo throughputs in the port’s 151-year history, 64 mt was recorded during 2019–20. Due to the Covid-19-induced slowdown, the volume of cargo handling decreased to around 58 mt in 2020–21.
By handling 22.845 mt of cargo from April 2022 to September 2022 as opposed to 20.262 mt from April 2021 to September 2021, the HDC (Haldia Dock Complex- Medinipur) saw an increase of 12.75%. As opposed to this, the Kidderpore Dock System (KDS) had an increase of 8.78%, moving 7.683 mt of cargo from April 2022 to September 2022 as opposed to 7.063 mt from April 2021 to September 2021.
The SMP chairperson stated, “We should be able to beat the figure of 64 mt which we had registered in 2019–20,” while speaking to media in Kolkata. In addition, Mr. Kumar noted that SMP improved from sixth to fifth place in cargo handling among the Major Ports between April and August 2022 and April and August 2021.
Regarding petroleum, oil, lubricants (crude), LPG, manganese ore, rock phosphate, limestone, coking and non-coking coal, and traffic increased at HDC. Vegetable oil, other liquids, fertilizer raw materials, iron and steel, and pulse all saw rise at KDS.
However, the port saw a decrease in container traffic during that time. Mr. Kumar continued by saying that the port’s container traffic has decreased as a result of decreased imports, mainly from China, as well as some indirect effects of the Russia-Ukraine war due to higher shipping costs. The SMP chair stated that he anticipates traffic to get better going forward.
SMP, Kolkata is working to build three to four cruise ports, among other things, to make Kolkata a premier cruising hub in the eastern area. About 76 crore is the projected investment amount. The port also intends to modernize it. The renowned Howrah Bridge in Kolkata by adding a huge television screen.