Jan.10--INDIA's state-run Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) handled 5.05 million TEU in 2018, representing an increase of 7.24 per cent in both container and bulk cargo volumes.

　　In December JNPT handled a monthly record of 445,000 TEU, while 3.81 million TEU passed through the gateway between April and December. With the last quarter of the financial year underway, JNPT is well on track to surpass the previous fiscal year's result.

　　Bulk cargo grew 8.41 per cent to 8.57 million tonnes; liquid cargo's share rose to 7.54 million tonnes in 2018 up from 7.01 million tonnes the previous year. JNPT achieved a record 4.83 million TEU for the year ended March 2018.

　　While JNPT handled 117,900 TEU, APM Terminal recorded 207,700 TEU, DP World (NSICT and NSIGT) handled a cumulative volume of 146,000 TEU and BMCTPL handled 334,000 TEU during the 2018 calendar year.

　　"JNPT has been consistently improving its volume and turnover as many trade friendly measures implemented by the port is fully supporting the EXIM trade community," the company was cited as saying in a report by The Hindu BusinessLine.

　　"Several steps under ease of doing business and introduction of direct port delivery (DPD) system have substantially contributed in increasing the volume of traffic handled by the port," it said, adding that 43 per cent of the cargo handled is routed through DPD system.