Mumbai ports seen losing cargo business to Gujarat

MUMBAI: The Mumbai ports are losing their liquid cargo business to counterparts in Gujarat. The ���unfriendly measures��� prevalent at Mumbai Port (MPT) and Jawaharlal Nehru Port (JNPT) are driving away a major chunk of the cargo business to Mundra and Kandla in Gujarat, according to users.

The Mumbai-based ports earn around Rs 60,000 crore annually from the liquid cargo handling business.

All India Liquid Bulk Importers and Exporters Association (AILBIEA) president Jayant Lapsia said: ���Inadequate and inefficient infrastructure, delays in assessments by the custom authorities, low rationalisation of trade policies and multiple taxes are hampering the day-to-day business at ports in Mumbai.���

Companies operating from Mumbai such as Hindustan Uniliver, Godrej Industries and Marico India are planning to shift their liquid cargo operations to Gujarat. ���This will have serious consequences on income and employment in the city,��� added Mr Lapsia.

The share of liquid bulk traffic business handled by Mumbai ports declined by almost 10% in the past few months.