Port of Deendayal: New berthing policy

GANDHIDHAM : With effect from 26 January, if a tanker vessel fails to commence cargo operations at the Port of Deendayal, within 4 hours from the time of ‘all fast’, it will be liable to be shifted on the next suitable tide, at the cost and responsibility of the vessel agent.

As GAC informs, in such cases, the vessel will be allowed to continue to work until shifting, subject to the payment of 3 times additional penal berth hire charges.

If there is no taker for the berth, the vessel will be permitted to continue until the completion of cargo operations, under three times additional berth hire charges until it vacates the berth.

Recently, India decided to ban all foreign and Indian ships above 25 years of age from being registered under the Indian flag, in order to ensure compliance with global maritime standards.

This move comes as part of India’s plan to improve tonnage safety and to make the fleet younger. More specifically, for tugs, gas carriers, cellular container vessels, offshore fleet, dredgers, and geotechnical vessels, the ban is for ships older than 30 years, while for cargo ships, tankers, and bulk carriers, it is set to 25 years.

Regarding barges, anchor handling, and towing tugs, the ban is for 25-year-old vessels, while second-hand ships across all sections have a 20 years limit. Second-hand dredgers that are 15 years old or more have also been banned.

According to the ministry guidelines, the ship’s age would be determined from the date of build mentioned in the certificate issued by the ship registry.