Kochi, April 4 (IANS) The Cochin Port handled 15.23 million tonnes of cargo in 2008-09 as against 15.75 million tonnes the year ago - a fall of 3.34 percent, it was announced Saturday.
The fall in cargo handling is mainly because of a drop in the uptake of crude oil by Kochi Refinery, which imported 8.21 million tonnes of crude last fiscal as against 8.75 million tonnes in 2007-08, the port said in a statement.
The export of finished petroleum products by the refinery also fell to 2.28 million tonnes during the period from 2.54 million tonnes the previous year.
The ban on import of palmolein through Cochin Port also adversely impacted the port's performance.
However, the cargoes of salt, sulphur, phosphoric acid, urea and liquefied natural gas (LPG) reported growth in 2008-09.
Some new items like river sand and slag were also handled at the port.
Similarly, the port handled 36 cruise passenger vessels.
Another highlight of the port was that it became the first in the country to play host to the prestigious Volvo Ocean Race from November 29 to December 13, 2008.
Awards also came its way when it won the National Award for Excellence for being the 'best tourism friendly port' in the country.
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