Intermediate ports gearing up to handle coal handling

The state's intermediate ports are gearing up to develop dedicated coal handling facilities as major ports are struggling with draught (shipping channel's depth) constraints and pollution challenges.

Intermediate ports such as Dharamtar, Dahanu, Revdanda and Dighi are preparing to step up their coal handling facilities in the wake of rising fuel demand in the state.

"Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) is exclusively focusing on container cargo, while Mumbai Port Trust (MbPT) cannot handle bigger vessels owing to its lack of sufficient draught. The coal handling at MbPT is carried in anchorage," said industry analysts.

According to sources, imports of thermal and coking coal are expected to rise as the domestic availability of good quality coal is constrained in India. However, the dismal support of port infrastructure is haunting power companies such as Tata Power and Maharashtra State Electricity Board (MSEB).

At present, Mumbai Port can handle Panamax vessels with capacity between 68,000 tonne and 73,000 tonne at anchorage. The coal discharged at anchorage is transported in barges to Haji Bunder jetty at MbPT.

"These barges can only operate in the hours of tide waters owing to lack of sufficient draught at Mumbai Port. The port is also facing challenges of pollution," sources said.

In this backdrop, intermediate ports such as Dharamtar and Dahanu are developing coal handling facilities, while Dighi is developing one dedicated coal berth out of their five proposed multi purpose berths.

MbPT is also planning to set up coal handling facilities at Haji Bunder complying the environmental conditions laid down by Maharashtra State Pollution Control Board (MPCB).

"We are planning to set up permanent pollution control measures such as installing sprinklers, building huge surrounding walls and planting trees across the handling site. We are planning to dredge the channels to enable handling vessels with largest parcels," said a senior port executive.

He said MbPT was now waiting for settlement of issues raised by the MPCB on coal handling. Meanwhile, MPCB has extended their stay up to January 31 on order from MbPT against handling coal citing environment pollution. Next hearing on the issue is fixed on January 27.