Lok Sabha Question No. 1941 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-22
Subject: COVID-19 Impact on Cargo Traffic Handling
Ministry: SHIPPING
Asked by: Achyutananda Samanta

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SHIPPING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1941

TO BE ANSWERED ON 22ND SFPTEMBER, 2O2O

## COVID.19  IMPACT ON CARGO TRAFFIC HANDLING

## 194,I. SHRI ACHYUTANANDA  SAMANTA:

Will the Minister of SHIPPING be pleased  to state.

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- (a) the details of the cargo traffic handled  at major  ports in lndia;
- (b) whether the number has returned to pre-COVID-19  levels;
- (c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (d) the steps taken/being  taken by the Government to ensure the growth of traffic for individual  segments  like POLs,  containers and coal in the near future; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof  and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR SHIPPING (SHRI MANSUKH MANDAVIYA)

- (a) to (c) COVID 19 impact at Major Ports started from March 2020. There was a consrderable  decline  in the total traffic, containers traffic and other than containers  traffic in March, April, May, June, July and August, 2020 as compared  to the corresponding months in 2019. However,  the recovery has started since July 2020. The details of traffic handled at Major ports for last  I  months are annexed.
- (d) to (e) lnfrastructure  development and capacity expansion at Major Ports ts a continuous process.  Port Projects such as construction of berths, installation of state-ofthe-art equipment, mechanisation  of cargo handling system and dredging proiects  to accommodate large-size vessels, etc. help in increasing the capacity of Major ports and growth of traffic including POL, containers  and coal.Ma.jor  ports are operating  at full strength  and efficiency.

## Details of traffic handled at Major ports for last 9 months:

| Period      | Total Traffic during month   | Total Traffic during month   | Containers Traffic   | Containers Traffic         | Containers Traffic   | Containers Traffic       |
|-------------|------------------------------|------------------------------|----------------------|----------------------------|----------------------|--------------------------|
|             | (ln 000 Tonnes)              | o/o Yar. w.r.t. prev. year   | Tonnage (000 Tonnes) | o/o Yar. w.r.t. prev. year | TEUs (ln 000)        | % Yar. w.r.t. prev. year |
| December'19 | 60556                        | 5.59                         | 12246                | -1.23                      | 833                  | -1.88                    |
| December'18 | 57352                        | 5.59                         | 1 2398               | -1.23                      | 849                  | -1.88                    |
| January'20  | 61344                        | 1.79                         | 12913                | 3.84                       | 860                  | 2.14                     |
| January'1 9 | 60268                        | 1.79                         | 12435                | 3.84                       | 842                  | 2.14                     |
| February'20 | 57233                        | 458                          | 11791                | 1.24                       | 802                  | 1.01                     |
| February'19 | 54729                        | 458                          | 11647                | 1.24                       | 794                  | 1.01                     |
| March'20    | 61120                        | -5.25                        | '12006               | -10.46                     | 790                  | -12.51                   |
| March'19    | 64510                        | -5.25                        | 1 3408               | -10.46                     | 903                  | -12.51                   |
| April'20    | 47422                        | -21 08                       | 8306                 | -33.79                     | 542                  | -36.98                   |
| April'19    | 60086                        | -21 08                       | 12545                | -33.79                     | 860                  | -36.98                   |
| May'20      | 45399                        | -23.25                       | 8497                 | -34.08                     | 563                  | -35.58                   |
| May'19      | 59'151                       | -23.25                       | 1 2890               | -34.08                     | 874                  | -35.58                   |
| June'20     | 49053                        | -14 64                       | 9549                 | -22.19                     | 640                  | -23.63                   |
| June'1 9    | 57466                        | -14 64                       | 12272                | -22.19                     | 838                  | -23.63                   |
| July'20     | 51454                        | -13.23                       | 11464                | -13.02                     | 751                  | -15.24                   |
| July'19     | 59300                        | -13.23                       | 13180                | -13.02                     | 886                  | -15.24                   |
| Aug'20      | 5161 1                       | -10.23                       | 1M6A                 | -8.79                      | 762                  | -13.8                    |
| Aug'19      | 57494                        | -10.23                       | 12565                | -8.79                      | 884                  | -13.8                    |