Mangalore, Feb 3: New Mangalore Port Trust (NMPT) Container traffic handling was increased to 17,516 TEUs this year, compared to last year's 17,290 TEUs.

A press release from the office here yesterday said the general cargo traffic at NMPT exported the first consignment of maize to Dubai. M V M V ABBOUD-G berthed at the Port from January 24 to load 17,000 metric tonnes of maize and the loading operation was in full swing. The second vessel M V NOOR-E-MOSTAFA also berthed yesterday for exporting 15,000 tonnes of maize to Oman.

AWB India Pvt Ltd, New Delhi, was the exporter of cargo, brought from Harihar, Davanagere, Shimoga, Honnali, Hubli and Hassan.

P Tamilvanan, Chairman, while attributing the increase in cargo traffic to the business development drive by the Port, in addition to infrastructure facilities, was hopeful of additional flow from the hinterland in the coming months.

The Port had made a remarkable achievement by handling 4.90 million metric tonnes of rail-bound traffic, as against 2.48 million tonnes, handled during the corresponding period of last year, the release added.

UNI