VISAKHAPATNAM: Cargo handling operations in at least eight berths have been hit at the Visakhapatnam Port Trust (VPT) due to the incessant rains over the last 72 hours. Ships docked at the port have neither been able to load or unload cargo, resulting in heavy losses for vessel operators.
The heavy rains have also brought to a standstill the conveyor system handling iron ore during the last three days as part of it has got inundated. According to sources, the delay in handling cargo to the tune of around 2.4 lakh tonnes of cargo has caused losses of around Rs 60 crore to the industry. According to VPT sources, vessels at five berths handling dry bulk and break bulk cargo in the inner harbour, including EQ (East Quay) 3 to 7, have been unable to discharge cargo due to continuous rains. At the same time, cargo handling operations of at least three berths of WQ (West Quay) 3 to 5 in the inner harbour have also been hit due to the downpour, apart from the two berths (OB1 and 2) in the outer harbour.
While operations at the Visakha Container Terminal Private Limited continued, sources said the pace of operations at the terminal, which usually handles around 25 containers per hour under each crane, has slowed down with the terminal now handling around 15 to 17 containers per hour. Industry sources said that cargo including edibles such as maize, pulses and other materials such as fertiliser have not been unloaded due to the heavy rains. In another worrying sign for the port, a shipping source said, "The iron ore belt has got inundated. Ships with cargo that is not compatible with rain are now stuck and unable to move out. Since berths are also not vacant, many vessels have been waiting outside for two days now. There is a total mechanical failure on the West Quay."
Slamming VPT for failing to take any measures, he said, "In a meeting held on Friday, the port authorities expressed their helplessness on the issue. They said nothing can be done till the rains stop." A custom house agent said, "Nearly 90% of the port operations have come to a standstill. Except petroleum products and containers all other operations have stopped. Iron ore handling has also stopped. We are expecting no demurrage for anyone as it's a natural calamity."
However, he put the number of ships unable to move out at a higher number. He said, "Twenty ships are berthed and not able to move out and at least 20 more are waiting at the anchorage." Expressing worries over the rains, a stevedoring agent said, "Vessels are just sitting there and our customers don't want to listen to reasons. It's really been a terrifying wait for us due to the rains."While pointing out that incessant rains were beyond anybody's control, a stevedore said, "If it is for one day, it's manageable. But when work is disrupted for 3-4 days continuously, nobody can do anything. The rain is interfering with work.
The last time work was hit so badly at the port was probably when the trade unions went on strike a decade ago." Meanwhile, due to the stoppage of port operations, nearly 600 lorries involved in evacuation of cargo from the port have also come to a complete halt. A lorry operator said, "For the better part of the past one week, not even a single lorry has been able to take out any cargo due to the rains." Admitting to the disruption in port operations, VPT deputy chairman GVL Satyakumar said, "Operations are not going on as per the normal routine. Some iron ore and fertiliser cargo cannot be handled during rains.
These are the two commodities that are affected. In terms of throughput, we do an average of around 1.5 lakh to 1.7 lakh tonnes per day, but now we are doing around 90 to 1 lakh tonnes per day." Confirming that the iron ore conveyor had stopped, he said the ground conveyor system has been affected by water logging. However, he said, "We are doing pretty well as compared to other ports." He also confirmed that nearly 20 vessels are in the waiting due to the effect of heavy rains on operations.
Source:-timesofindia.indiatimes.com
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