New Delhi, May 4 (UNI) Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ) on Thursday said that it handled 32.3 million metric tonnes (MMT) of total cargo in April 2023 registering year-on-year growth of 12.8%.

"This growth in cargo volumes is supported by dry cargo volumes increase of 9% (iron ore 64%, non-coking coal 22%, and coastal coal 67%) and container volume increase of 13.6%," the company said.

APSEZ is the largest private port operator in the country with six ports and terminals on the west coast and five on the east coast representing 24% of the country's total port volumes.

Karan Adani, CEO and Whole Time Director, APSEZ said that growth in cargo volumes across most of the ports reflected the company's strategy was delivering results.

He noted that Dhamra LNG Terminal (in Odisha) berthed its first ship and the natural gas started flowing in the pipeline network connected to the terminal well in line with the firm's guidance of achieving the LNG terminal commissioning during Q1 FY24.

As per the official release, four ports recorded significant sequential growth in monthly volumes in April. These include Krishnapatnam, Dhamra, Tuna, and Katupalli and Ennore combined.

"Mundra Liquid Terminal handled its largest shipment of vegetable oil (soyabean oil) of 61,841 MT surpassing the previous highest of 57,000 MT (palm oil). The Gangavaram Port handled its highest monthly rakes count (88 Nos) on account of handling coastal coal cargo for one of its customers," the company said.

The port operator said investments in rail infrastructure at its ports had been one of the catalysts for improved operational performance.

"Continuing that journey, Dahej Port completed the extension of overhead electric lines, thereby enabling it to handle rakes with electric locomotives of Indian Railways," said Adani group firm.

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