Image: IXE_Arecanut_Jan23B: Parcel of inbound areca nut at Integrated Cargo Terminal of
Mangaluru International Airport as belly cargo by Shivamogga based company.
Mangaluru: Mangaluru International Airport (MIA) facilitated the inbound handling of areca nut (Areca catechu), a tropical crop at its integrated cargo terminal (ICT) earlier in January 2024. The red variety of areca nut weighing 1519kgs in 60 bags was ferried as belly air cargo from Agartala to this coastal city. This is the highest quantity of the crop that the integrated cargo terminal has handled since it started domestic cargo operation on May 1, 2023. International cargo operations will commence in Feb ‘24
The above quantity of areca nut handled, procured by Srinivasa Supari Traders, a Shivamogga-based trading company also marks the highest single-day inbound cargo that the ICT has handled since May 1, 2023. The ICT in the past had handled inbound parcels of areca nut, although in smaller quantities. The company representatives, who received the consignment, later transported the crop by road to Shivamogga for further processing.
Airlifting of the nut was also a first for the company that otherwise regularly sources this crop by road from various parts of the country, including Agartala. “The Integrated Cargo Terminal is living up to its stated purpose of facilitating seamless flow of various types of cargo – both to and from Mangaluru International Airport,” the airport spokesperson said. “It will be the constant endeavour of the airport to facilitate handling varied cargo,” the spokesperson added.
The ICT has already carved a niche for itself in emerging as one of the largest handlers of outbound post office mail cargo domestically. The export of seafood (live crabs) to international markets through domestic transit hubs is also a speciality of the cargo terminal.
Since it commenced operations, the ICT has handled 2714.29 tonnes of cargo including 2523.98 tonnes of outbound and 190.3 tonnes of inbound cargo. International cargo operations will commence in February 2024.
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