Kolkata port handles capsize vessel

Kolkata port has handled a Capesize vessel requiring a draft of `17.21 meters draft with dry bulk cargo last week. 

 M.V. Samjohn Solidarity, a Capesize vessel with dry bulk cargo called at Anchorage carrying 1,64,928 MT of coal on account of Adani Enterprises Ltd and anchored at Sand heads on October seventeenth morning. 

The vessel, with LOA of 292 metres, beam of 45 metres and draught of 17.21 metres, discharged around 1 lakh MT of Coal onto barges with the help of two floating cranes. She commenced discharge on October 18 using one floating crane, after completion of draught survey and Customs related formalities according to port press release. 

The discharge continued using two floating cranes and by 06:00 hours on October 20 a quantity of 27,795 MT had been shifted to the barges. The barges will be brought to the floating jetty at Haldia where the cargo will be finally discharged. The vessel is expected to complete the discharge one lakh tons of coal at Sandheads by October 27^th. The vessel will then proceed to Paradip to discharge her remaining cargo. 

Mr Vinit Kumar, Chairman, Kolkata Port Trust congratulated the officers and staff of KoPT, and the trade partners for this great achievement. 

He pointed out that due to draught and lock restriction, the port cannot take bigger vessels in the docks. The normal parcel size is 30,000 tonnes, while the Capesize vessel brought 1,00,000 tonnes of coal cargo i.e. three times more in one go. The increased volumes through a single vessel thereby reduced the cost to the trade . 

Mr Kumar further said that despite all odds and challenges in the trade, Kolkata Port Trust, including KDS and HDC, could be sustained due to unflinching customer support over the years as well as through strategic planning and marketing drive, the release added.