Fertilisers (finished and raw), coking coal and containers saw a decline in traffic when compared to the same period of the earlier fiscal, according to the data compiled by the Indian Ports Association (IPA).

The growth rate during the seven-month period has also been better than that recorded during the first half this fiscal. In the April-September 2009 period, the Major Ports handled a total cargo of 267.97 million tonnes, registering a more modest 2.39% growth over the corresponding period of 2008-09.

Nevertheless, the April-October traffic is still lower by 5.5% when compared to the target of 332.99 million tonnes set by the Shipping Ministry for the period.

Commoditywise, the Major Ports handled 101.11 million tonnes of POL, which is 2.28% higher than that handled in the corresponding period of 2008-09.

Iron ore traffic witnessed a healthy 11.6% growth by the handling of 50.284 million tonnes during the period.

Finished fertiliser cargo, however, saw a 21.31% dip with the Ports handling 7.001 million tonnes, while raw fertiliser cargo handled by the Ports was down by 10.18% (at 3.335 million tonnes).

The 12 Major Ports handled 26.1 million tonnes of thermal coal, an increase of 13.02%, as against the cargo handled during the corresponding period of 2008-09.

And coking coal traffic fell by nearly 20% to 15.6 million tonnes.