The first-ever ship-to-ship (STS) transfer operation of LPG in the Indian Coast was undertaken by the Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) on Saturday, stated the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways on Sunday.
According to the ministry, BPCL engaged service provider M/s Fendercare Marine to render the services at the offshore STS location. The restricted draft in the river channel necessitates offloading of part cargo at neighbouring ports before calling at Haldia Dock Complex (HDC) or Kolkata Dock System (KDS) of Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port Kolkata (erstwhile Kolkata Port Trust). Consequent to two-port discharge, vessels incur dead freight and additional steaming time, said the Ministry.
It further stated that to obviate the inherent channel constraints, Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port Kolkata (SMP Kolkata) has endeavoured to open up opportunities for importers to bring in Cape Size or Baby Cape vessels at the deep drafted anchorages located at Sagar, Sandheads and X Point and enable handling of fully laden dry bulk vessels through the deployment of Floating Cranes or ship cranes.
Over the years a good number of dry bulk vessels have been handled at the lighterage points, said the ministry, adding that due to the strategically advantageous location, HDC has witnessed incremental demand from trade in terms of catering to LPG, imported POL products and other liquid cargo.
Several discussions with the senior management of the Oil Manufacturing Companies like BPCL, IOCL, HPCL and other leading private importers of LPG and other liquid products pointed to the intrinsic benefits that can be harnessed through extending the facility of Ship-to-Ship Transfer (STS) of LPG/ Liquid Cargo at the Deep drafted anchorage points of SMP, Kolkata, said the ministry.