— File Photo

GOING GREEN: Handling of dusty coal cargo will decline significantly, following the Chennai Port's decision to attract cleaner cargoes such as cars and containers. A view of the port.

CHENNAI: The Chennai port expects the dusty coal cargo traffic to dip significantly in the next few years, but is not unduly worried, as it is confident of attracting cleaner cargoes such as cars and containers.

Noting that it shared the concern of the people in the neighbourhood, who oppose the handling of dusty cargoes, Port Trust chairman K. Suresh said on Tuesday that there was a conscious decision to reduce the coal handling.

Land to be handed over to company

The second container terminal, for which the Port Trust had entered into a licence agreement with a joint venture of Port of Singapore Authority and Sical Logistics Limited, would contribute to the reduction.

One-third of the land used for stacking the coal would be handed over to the company.

Addressing a press conference to announce that the port crossed the 50-million tonne cargo handling this fiscal, Mr. Suresh said the Port Trust was also likely to help the Ennore port handle more coal.

It had already sounded the coal importers to make alternative measures. Besides Ennore, Cuddalore and Tuticorin were the other ports through which they could bring the cargo.

Development plan

A business development plan, for which the Chennai port commissioned Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Private Limited, had made recommendations on these lines, he hinted. The firm "had fruitful discussions with users, stakeholders, residents, workers ... The study is almost complete and to be submitted in a week to the Shipping Ministry," he said.

The Port Trust would, however, continue to handle iron ore for some more years. As a fully mechanical tippler was used for its handling, the pollution was limited. The port was also implementing other measures to control the dust.

Milestone

On the 50 million tonne milestone, Mr. Suresh said Chennai became the second port, after Vishakhapatnam, to reach this mark. The major contributors to the nearly 13 per cent growth, over the performance in the corresponding period of 2005-06, were container traffic that grew by 20 per cent and other non-pollution cargoes such as car, sugar, wheat, timber and steel. The handling of coking coal and iron ore also grew, while that of fertilizer declined marginally.

Port Trust deputy chairman G.J. Rao said that with over two weeks to go for the financial year to end, the port was confident of meeting the Shipping Ministry's target of 52.20 million tonne.

Automobile exports

Automobile exports through the port were set to increase. Many companies, including Nissan, had evaluated the prospect. Several firms had also evinced interest in developing a multi-level car terminal, Mr. Suresh said.

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