The two BFs were taken out of operation in the last fiscal in order to restrict production and control costs. Since SAIL is aiming at a higher production and sales in 2000-01, the two BFs are to be brought back into operation. The company imports coking coal through three ports - Visakhapatnam, Haldia and Paradip. Vizag and Haldia ports account for around 40-45 per cent of its coking coal imports each.
Paradip port takes care of the balance.
Bulk of the prime coking coal imports is from Australia and New Zealand. Soft coking coal is imported from Canada and Australia. Sailing time for vessels from Canada to India is about 30 days. Industry sources said there were a lot of backlog in Chennai, Mumbai and Delhi airports. The readymade garments are all-time bound cargo to be despatched to the US, which is India's major market.