Coal news and updates

VOC relaxes coal stacking norms for three months

September 11: V.O. Chidambaranar  (VOC) Port, formerly Tuticorin port, has relaxed its coal stacking policy in berth number 9 for three months to reduce pre-berthing detention.

"Considering the constraint of availability of a single cargo berth with 12.8 meter draught, the decision was taken to reduce pre-berthing detention, turnaround time and to increase average ship berth day output of deep draught vessels," a circular from the port said.

The decision, which is a partially modified version of the Trade Notice on January 19, 2012, allows importers to stack coal away from the hook point of berth number 9 instead of landing the coal at hook point and removal of the cargo during the same shift. 

"However, it has been mandated that in such cases the berth has to be cleaned without any trace of coal after removal of coal stack, to enable handling of clean cargos ," the circular added.