Coal news and updates

Major ports told to offer priority berthing to coastal cargos

September 11: The government recently asked all major ports to give priority berthing to dry bulk and general cargo coastal vessels irrespective of the origin and final destination of the cargo, according to an official release by the Ministry of Shipping.

Under the new guidelines, in a letter addressed to the chairmen of all the major ports, the government said: “Major ports shall accord priority berthing, at least one berth, to dry bulk and general cargo coastal vessels to enable shippers to transport goods from one port of India to another, irrespective of the origin and the final destination of the cargo. This would be in addition to a dedicated berth for handling coastal thermal coal already existing at the major ports, if any.” 

The letter further said: “The major ports shall clearly work out the time limit within which a coastal vessel would be berthed in a particular port. This time limit may differ depending on the cargo and berth. Each major port should carry out a detailed exercise and issue a trade notice clearly indicating the upper time limit within which a coastal vessel would be given a berth at the port.” 

The government mandated that the entire action is to be completed within 30 days.
The guidelines, approved by Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari, also provide for concessional port charges irrespective of whether the vessel is berthed on priority or normal basis. Major ports have also been asked to earmark exclusive berths and green channel for coastal cargo to promote the sector.

These guidelines, issued on the basis of the recommendations of a committee, are aimed at promoting coastal shipping to reduce pressure on rail and road transport systems.