EXIM India reports that Mr B. K. Mansukhani, Director of Rishi Shipping, suggested that the Kandla Port should seriously consider developing ten barge jetties to discharge barges bringing in coal from capesize vessels at the outer anchorage.
He said that constructing barge jetties was a better option than going in for dredging/new berths as Kandla was a tidal port and, therefore, even if draught of 14 metres was achieved, it would not maintain that level on all days, increasing/decreasing periodically depending on the tide .
“The cost of a new berth is minimum Rs 300 crore and it can handle daily 10,000 tonnes of cargo and needs dredging up to 14 metres, while one barge jetty costs hardly Rs 5 crore and needs only 3.5 metres draught. On one barge jetty we can discharge minimum 5,000 tonnes of cargo and on ten barge jetties Kandla Port can handle 15 million tonnes of cargo annually,” Mr Mansukhani concluded.
[mappress]
Dredging Today Staff, August 8, 2012