Kolkata Port Trust creates three new anchorage points

A Kolkata Port Trust trade circular has intimated that three new anchorage points have been created to handle large vessels with no requirements for pilotage. The three points are 24 nautical miles north of Sandheads and 18 nautical miles below the present Point ‘X’ Anchorage, as per the communiqué.

These anchorages, namely NX1, NX2 and NX3 and collectively called ‘Inner Sandheads Anchorages’, have draughts of 9.5 m, 10 m and 10.5 m, respectively, and do not have vessel dimensional (length or beam) constraints. These anchorages are to be exclusively used for mid-stream cargo lighterage and topping up of large bulk carriers such as Capesize, Baby Capes and Panamax vessels, and are not for waiting vessels.

The new anchorages NX1, NX2 and NX3 lie east of Eastern Channel and are sufficiently well clear of the entrance channel, leaving clear passage for inbound and outbound vessels at the following coordinates:

NX1: 21° 18’15” N / 088°13’45” E

NX2: 21° 16’45” N / 088°14’00” E

NX3: 21° 15’30” N / 088°14’00” E

The charges at the new anchorages at Inner Sandheads are as follows:

• For new Anchorages NX1, NX2 and NX3, the port dues are at par with that levied at Point X.
• For calling vessels at point NX1, NX2 and NX3, a rebate of 60% of the rates stated under Section 24.1 in the SOR, against towage and pilotage, are applicable.
• For pilotage from NX1, NX2 and NX3 (Inner Sandheads) to Point ‘X’ or Sagar Anchorages, the vessel pilotage and towage charges shall be 50% of what is levied from Sandheads to Point ‘X’. This translates to 80% discount of Section 24.1 of SOR.