Vizag Port puts checks on private shippers

To avoid further congestion, the Visakhapatnam Port has decided not to allow private shippers who are performing poorly in cargo handling for over a period.

As on date, as many as 32 vessels are waiting on roads due to non-availability of berths at the port. Most of them have been waiting from the last ten days.

"Poor handling performance, particularly in iron ore, by some private shipping companies coupled with bad weather conditions during the last month has led to the present situation. We have been taking several steps to ease the congestion and as part of this, we have decided to issue notices to some of the private shipping companies, who are performing poorly in cargo handling," KSD Dattu Raju, traffic manager, Vizag Port, told Business Standard.

From the last one month, all iron ore vessels are being diverted to the Vizag port due to problems at Haldia, Paradip and Goa ports.

Besides, the centre has been diverting a majority of fertiliser vessels to Vizag. "All these have increased the waiting time of the ships at the Vizag port," he added. Of the 32 vessels awaiting berths, about 10 are iron ore vessels.

"Normally, Vizag port handles about 70,000 tonnes of quality iron ore a day through its mechanical handling system. But due to inferior iron ore quality, some private shippers are able to load only 15,000-20,000 tonnes, which has increased the ore handling time," he stated.