India first half container volume down 6%

India first half container volume down 6%    Containerized cargo volume through India's 12 major government-run ports dropped 6 percent in the country's first half (April through September) to 3.32 million TEUs, compared to 3.55 million TEUs in the same period in 2008.
   The drop at India's biggest container gateway, the Jawaharlal Nehru/Nhava Sheva port complex near Mumbai, paralleled the overall rate, with volume down 6 percent to 1.99 million TEUs.
   By overall tonnage, the 12 ports actually saw volume rise 2.3 percent to 268 million tons in the same period. That includes bulk, liquid bulk and other commodities. However, growth was below the 285 million ton target set by the government for the first half, Mint reported.