The total iron exports through the Mormugao port in Goa declined by as much as 27 per cent for 2011-12, resulting in an overall fall of 22 per cent in the total tariff.

The decline is being linked mainly to the issue of illegal mining that has created controversies in the state since last year. Iron ore accounts for 80 per cent of the total tariff for the Mormugao port. About half of the total iron ore export in India in routed through the port.

The Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) authorities blamed factors beyond its control for the decline and pointed out that its capacity was not the reason behind the fall in exports from the port.

“Factors include ban on ore exports from Karnataka, restrictions on transportation of ore by local administration from mines to the offload point, ban on handling of dumps as well as closure of several mines in the wake of illegal mining allegations,” MPT chairman P Mara Pandiyan said.

He also said that the port handled a total traffic of 39.00 million tonnes during the year 2011-12 compared to 50.02 million tonnes handled in 2010-11. Out of the total, iron ore export was 29.37 million tonnes as against 40.63 million tones.

Pot officials also pointed out that the port is aiming to reduce its dependence on iron ore exports and increase exports of other commodities. The port is aiming to emerge as a multi-commodity export hub.