Major ports register increase in traffic in April 2021

During April 2021, the major ports in India handled 61.53 million tonnes (mt) of traffic, as compared to 47.51 mt in the corresponding period in 2020-21, registering an increase of 29.52 per cent. Port-wise, Paradip port handled the maximum traffic at 11.21 mt, followed by Deendayal port at 10.45 mt and the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust at 6.33 mt. The traffic handled at major ports has been severely impacted due to the Covid-19 pandemic. However, the major ports have been registering a contraction since July 2020, suggesting a recovery in the country’s external trade. With regard to commodities, petroleum, oil and lubricants accounted for the highest share in the traffic at 28.31 per cent (17.42 mt), followed by containers and coal (thermal, steam, coking and others) at 22.92 per cent (14.1 mt) and 21.53 per cent (13.25 mt) respectively.