Maritime Newsletter

Vizag port to allow barges in lighterage operations - 2010-07-05

Visakhapatnam port has decided to allow barges in cargo lighterage activity on concessional berth hire charges. At present, the general cargo berth (GCB) is the only berth in the port where lightening operations are being carried out to enable Panamax and Handymax vessels to enter the inner harbour. As per the existing policy, the vessels at the GCB are to be berthed for lightening purpose in the order of their arrival seniority, thus making vessels wait in queue for a long time due to pre-occupancy of the GCB. This has led to diversion of traffic to other ports. In this situation, allowing barges for cargo lightening activity would help both the port and trade. In addition, the port announced a 50 per cent concession on berth hire charges on barge usage. It costs a vessel Rs 5 lakh to 20 lakh per day of waiting, depending on the vessel size. Till recently, vessels have been waiting for 3-5 days due to pre-occupancy, with cargo owners having to pay huge demurrage charges to vessel owners. Source: Business Standard