The Indian port of Pipavav says that it is more profitable to handle coal that either wheat or fertilizer. The specialist terminal, Gujarat Pipavav Port Ltd, which is operated by APM Terminals, receives a maximum of four dollars per tonne of coal handled, compared to $15 for a tonne of wheat and seven dollars for a tonne of fertilizer.
However, it is easier to handle coal and therefore more desirable to do so.
For the quarter ending in June, the port handled a record 1.018mt (million tonnes) of dry bulk, of which 47% was coal and 20% fertilizer. In addition, the terminal also handles limestone and foodgrains.
The quarter was noticeable in that traffic was 77% higher than the previous one.
Barry Cross