Coal news and updates

HDC issues new guidelines for berth availability

In order to improve port services, Haldia Dock Complex (HDC) of Kolkata Port Trust (KoPT) has come out with new guidelines for berth availability for container vessels.

According to a port circular issued recently, the senior most container vessel would be subjected to availability of working berth after a stipulated time. Seniority of the container vessel would be determined by the arrival/readiness time of the container vessel, whichever is later.

The circular further mentioned that if a container carrying dry cargo has to wait 96 hours, its seniority would be upgraded for berth availability. In case of oil cargo container, the stipulated time would be 144 hours. In case of bagged cargo/steel cargo, the waiting time for upgradation of seniority would be 240 hours.

An official of HDC told ICMW, “Till now, coal cargo used to get priority in berth availability. But the new circular ensured that rest of the cargo would be served with equal promptness.”