Coal news and updates

Ops suspended at Gangavaram, resume partly at Vizag

October 14: Vizag Port, which had suspended its operation for two days (October 12 and October 13) following the landfall of tropical cyclone Hudhud, resumed partial operation on October 14 while Kakinada Port regained normalcy, an official from a shipping company told ICMW.

Operations at Gangavaram Port, however, have remained suspended till further notice.
A statement from Gangavaram Port to the shipping companies said, “As a very preliminary assessment, Hudhud has caused extensive damage to port infrastructure, including storage sheds and other storage areas. The extent of the damage will only be assessed and estimated in due course.”

“The very severe cyclonic storm Hudhud is an ‘act of God’ and is completely beyond GPL control and constitutes a ‘force majeure’ event. Further, at this preliminary stage, it is apprehended that it may take around four weeks or more for port operations to begin in a phased manner, though we will endeavour with best efforts to resume port operations as early as possible.,” the official statement added.

In this scenario, port officials said the shipping companies can divert their vessels that are waiting at the anchorage if the companies feel it necessary.

In Vizag city, power has still not been restored and operations in the container terminal of the port have remained closed on October 14 due to power issues, the source said.

“The container terminal (at Vizag Port) remains closed due to power issues. Vizag Port operations have started loading-unloading, using cranes only. Due to fuel shortage stevedores are not placing vehicles. At Gangavaram, operations remains suspended till further notice while at Kakinada, operations have started and normalcy regained,” the source said.

The container freight stations (CFS) at all three ports, however, remained closed as on October 14.