VASCO
Goa’s mining sector is set for a revival, with industry stakeholders expecting cargo volumes to increase over the coming year. Speaking on the sidelines of the Independence Day celebrations organised by Delta Ports Mormugao Terminal Private Limited (DPMTPL) at Mormugao Port on Saturday, VM Salgaonkar and Brothers Pvt Ltd head of export sourcing Ajay Borkar said mining activity in Goa could increase.
Borkar said the government had auctioned more than 10 mining blocks and permitted the handling of mining dumps. “Things will improve further. A few mines, including Vedanta, Fomento and JSW, have started, while a few more are expected to open. Handling of dumps will also begin. Going ahead, we can expect good volumes in the coming year, at least around 10 million tonnes,” Borkar said.
DPMTPL Vice President Raghoba Kotkar said the terminal was exploring new cargo and handling models. He said DPMTPL was exploring reverse logistics, under which iron ore could be brought by barges, unloaded at the terminal and then loaded onto large vessels. This could reduce turnaround time from eight to 10 days to around 48 hours, he said. “We are also planning to handle fertiliser cargo and are already in touch with some companies. We are also targeting some limestone imports,” Kotkar said.
He said the terminal had tied up with JSW for steel coil exports and was targeting between 3.5 and four million tonnes this year despite geopolitical challenges, including tensions around the Strait of Hormuz.
Hiralal and Company’s Mannubhai Thakker said geopolitical developments were changing cargo movement and pointed to opportunities in coastal cargo. He said iron ore from Goa was increasingly moving towards steel mills rather than traditional export markets. Thakker also pointed to increased demand for pig iron, including from the United States. “Pig iron is the next mantra we are looking at,” he said.
Thakker said changes in China, traditionally a major buyer of Goa’s iron ore, were affecting cargo patterns. He also pointed to transhipment opportunities at DPMTPL’s berths, with alumina arriving from India’s east coast, being bagged and shipped to the UAE.
The Independence Day celebrations were attended by DPMTPL Director Abdul Sami and Vice President Raghoba Kotkar. The Tricolour was unfurled by chief guest Ajay Borkar in the presence of guest of honour Mannubhai Thakker.
