The Haldia Dock Complex (HDC) under Kolkata Port Trust (KoPT) seems to be fighting a losing battle against the forces of nature as well as government apathy. Senior officials feel that unless corrective measures are taken immediately, the port facility - Bengal's only one that can handle vessels of a respectable size - may be beyond salvage by the time it turns 40 in 2017. The KoPT management in Kolkata, however, doesn't agree.
"Port users are facing infrastructural bottlenecks at every stage. Previously, importers could bring in ships after unloading 35% of their cargo at other ports. It was still economical for them to unload 65% cargo at HDC. Now, they are only able to bring in 35% of the cargo after unloading 65% in ports like Dhamra and Paradip. The economics of bringing in cargo has been completely destroyed," a senior official said.
Statistics reveal that the draught in the channel outside HDC has fallen by 0.4 metres in a year. This has had devastating results on the carrying capacity of ships. A drop in draught by 10cm results in a 50-tonne fall in the carrying capacity.
"A drop of 0.4 metres (40cm) has led to a fall of 2,000 tonnes per ship. HDC handles nearly 2,000 ships a year. A drop of 40cm has thereby led to a drop in overall cargo by nearly 4 million tonnes per year. Panamax vessels would earlier enter HDC with nearly 35,000 tonnes of cargo. Today, they can't carry more than 22,000-25,000 tonnes. This makes it extremely expensive for the importer. Industry is now considering unloading import cargo from Cape-size vessels at Dhamra. By bringing in cargo in such large vessels, the importers are saving between US$ 5-6 per tonne," the officer added.
Cape-size ships or even Panamax vessels with full loads can't enter HDC. The better-draughted Eden Channel was thrown open with much fanfare a few years ago but its utilization has been restricted. Little work has been done for the improvement of Jellingham, which is a governing bar for the channel outside HDC.
"The ministry of shipping also seems to be dragging its feet on the transloading plans. Though KoPT has extended its limits, transloading is still not possible at Kanika Sands.
Even NTPC has started moving its coal cargo for Farakka and Kahalgaon in barges without touching HDC. Dhamra is a deep-draughted facility and Paradip is also working towards increasing its draught.
It will be very difficult for HDC to survive unless immediate steps are taken. We started with a 9-10% growth in cargo volume in this financial year. Now, this has come down to 1-1.5%," another official said.
KoPT chairman RPS Kahlon denied that there has been any 'recorded' cut in draught. "The draught has remained what it was and cargo volumes will not be hit. In fact, the Indian Ports Association has forecast a growth in cargo. As far as transloading is concerned, we have written to the secretary, ministry of shipping, to expedite the matter as the Odisha government hasn't yet submitted its affidavit in court," he said.
Source:- timesofindia.indiatimes.com
No comments:
Post a Comment