To reduce congestion and lower transaction cost, Mumbai and Nhava Ship-Agents Association (MANSA) has sought berthing facility at the Offshore Container Terminal (OCT) for higher dimensional vessels carrying large parcels of pulses, steel and general cargo.
"We are seeking berthing facility for general cargo vessels at Mumbai Port's OCT terminal, which aims to reduce congestion and reduce waiting period for stranded vessels, MANSA said in a statement here today.
Promoted by Gammon Group, the Offshore Container Terminal is the first and single largest container terminal project in Mumbai Port under build operate and transfer (BOT) scheme.
"These vessels cannot be accommodated and are required to be lightened at the Anchorage Port Lighterage Point. Even after lightening, it is very difficult for them to be accommodated at the Harbour Wall Berths since they occupy more than one Berth and block all the remaining berths for other vessels," MANSA said in a letter to Chairman of Mumbai Port Trust.
Such repeated occurrences have contributed to frequent congestion at the port. Hence, under such circumstances, over dimensional vessels be permitted to berth at OCT as a special case to circumvent under-due congestion at the port, the letter said.
Substantiating the rationale behind the move, MANSA President Captain Vivek Anand said, "Mere creation of port infrastructure is of no use until it is effectively and efficiently operated. Berthing charges for vessels calling at Indian ports are 5-6 times of those charged in the developed countries making it an expensive proposition for the trade and the economy here."
Established in 1977, MANSA accounts for 85 per cent of the cargo handled at all ports across the country.
