Visakhapatnam port has decided to allow barges in cargo lighterage activity on concessional berth hire charges. At present, the general cargo berth (GCB) is the only berth in the port where lightening operations are being carried out to enable Panamax and Handly Max vessels to enter the inner harbour.
As per the existing policy, the vessels at the GCB are to be berthed for lightening purpose in the order of their arrival seniority, thus making vessels wait in queue for a long time due to pre-occupancy of the GCB.
This has led to diversion of traffic to other ports. In this situation, allowing barges for cargo lightening activity would help both the port and trade, port sources told Business Standard.
In addition, the port announced a 50 per cent concession on berth hire charges on barge usage.It costs a vessel Rs 5 lakh to 20 lakh per day of waiting, depending on the vessel size. Till recently, vessels have been waiting for 3-5 days due to pre-occupancy, with cargo owners having to pay huge demurrage charges to vessel owners.
“The decision allowing barges for lightening in mid-sea will help mainly the cargo-owners but also the trade,” said Sambasiva Rao, managing director, Sravan Shippings.
Given that the Vizag port does not own any barges, private players Eversun Sparkle Maritime Services Private Limited and Bothra Shipping Services have evinced interest in operating barges for cargo-lightening operations.