JNPT in talks with DCI to dredge harbour

The Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), which handles over 58 per cent of the country's container traffic, is in talks with the Dredging Corporation of India (DCI) for maintenance dredging. The port had restricted draught of vessels at 11.2 metre from 12.5 metre due to unusual siltation at Mumbai Harbour's main channel following heavy rains in the city.

Due to this reduction, container shipping lines have said that bigger and deep-draught ships have to discharge nearly 700 twenty foot containers before coming into JNPT, or load less tonnage. "Considering the troubles faced by the container shipping lines, JN Port is in talks with Dredging Corporation for carrying out dredging to get the channel back to the original depth," R T Revankar, chief manager (operations), JNPT, said.

He said the port is keenly observing the soundings of the channel through a specialised technology which will make clear the the depth and future trends.

Along with JNPT, the Mumbai Port Trust is also surveying the channel to take its depth to over 12 metres.

Industry analysts feel maintenance dredging would be time-consuming as DCI would have to first bring its dredgers currently deployed elsewhere.

Revankar said: "We are expecting normal depth of the port will be restored as the monsoon is weakening. We are also taking proactive steps to receive ships at two high tides."

"Considering trade requirements, and taking advantage of tidal variations, vessels with drafts up to 11.8 metre are being handled and, on few occasions, when the tidal height permits, vessels drawing more than 12 metre draught are being allowed," he added.