Coal news and updates

Cargo operations fail to resume at Vizag Port

October 15:  Cargo operations at Vizag Port could not be resumed on October 14 although the port had decided to berth vessels following the landfall of cyclone Hudhud, sources in shipping companies told ICMW.

The source said stevedores at the port were not able to undertake shore clearance due to shortage of fuel. Hence, cargo operations are at a halt at Vizag Port. “Vizag Port authorities informed that vessel movements have been resumed as usual subject to vessels working with own gear. There is no power supply to shore equipment hence it is not possible to provide support for discharge from vessels. Gearless vessels, planning to use shore cranes, unloaders, loaders will not be berthed at present,” the source added.

Meanwhile, infrastructure at the ports of Vizag and Gangavaram has been affected severely by the cyclone.

According to the source, heavy wind damaged equipment at the off-shore tanker terminal (OSTT) in the outer harbour of Vizag Port and in the inner harbour (east quay side) damaged two shore cranes. As a result, two vessels loading steel slabs and rock phosphate could not sail from the inner harbour. On the west quay side of the inner harbour, another vessel loading iron ore fines could not sail either.

“At Gangavaram Port, the mechanical conveyor at berth no 5 has fallen down on an iron ore conveyor at berth no 4 and two launches were damaged (one pilot launch and one mooring),” the source said, referring to another local source.

There is, however, no official confirmation on the same.

Earlier, on October 14, an official statement from Gangavaram Port to shipping companies said operations at the port will remain suspended till further notice from them. “As a very preliminary assessment, Hudhud has caused extensive damage to port infrastructure, including storage sheds and other areas. The extent of the damage will only be assessed and estimated in due course,” the official statement added.

Damages were also reported from an iron ore pelletisation plant of Essar and petroleum coke and CP coke plant of Rain CII Carbon (Vizag) Pvt Ltd, the source added.