NMPT likely to witness shortfall in iron ore handling

Mangalore: The New Mangalore port is likely to face a shortfall in iron ore handling during this year, as the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) has prohibited the storage and transportation of iron ore within the premises of the New Mangalore Port Trust (NMPT).


However, the KSPCB has permitted for the shipment of already existing iron ore within the stackyard of the port.The Deputy Commissioner in-charge of Dakshina Kannada district, Mr Subodh Yadav, has issued an order to implement the KSPCB directions in this regard.


A press release issued by the Karnataka Information Department said here on Friday that the KSPCB has asked the NMPT not to store and stack fresh iron ore cargo within the premises of the harbour during the rainy season till the end of September 15. Existing stackyard should be properly covered to prevent the rainwater entering into the storage yard, the KSPCB order said.


Sources in the NMPT told Business Line that they have received the order, and they would file a representation with the KSPCB in this matter. It may be mentioned here that the NMPT has handled a substantial quantity of iron ore cargo in the past few years.


The port handled 5.85 million tonnes of iron ore fines during 2005-06 against 5.57 mt in the previous year.


The port exported 1.68 mt of iron ore fines during the first quarter of the current financial year against 1.96 mt in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal.


Sources in the shipping sector said that the iron ore cargo from Bellary-Hospet region of Karnataka would now be diverted to other ports in the neighbouring States without any problem.


They regretted that the iron ore cargo would not be shipped through the New Mangalore port — the gateway port of Karnataka.