The Hindu Business Line : Dredger collision: Kochi port to seek damages

The Cochin Port Trust has decided to initiate legal proceedings against the Dredging Corporation of India in connection with the collision of the DCI dredger with the port's dredger in the channel on Tuesday.

The port Chairman, Mr N. Ramachandran, told Business Line that it was also decided to seek compensation from the DCI for the damages suffered to the port's dredger Nehru Shatabdi on account of the accident. As per the Major Port Trust Act, if any outside craft causes any damage to the port's property, the visiting ship is responsible for paying compensation, he said.

He said that the dredger Commander was placed under suspension after prima facie conclusions and various other statutory enquiries are on to find out the cause of the accident. The incident, which occurred in the sea four nautical miles away from the port area, could have been avoided if both the parties were little more careful, he added.

According to the Chairman, the first priority of the port is to repair the dredger and put it back to service, as it is one of the most important flotillas of the port providing critical infrastructure service to visiting vessels. The port is in touch with Cochin Shipyard Ltd to get the repairs done as fast as possible, he said.

There were also allegations that the damage caused to the dredger would cost the port dearer as the authorities had not renewed the insurance policy of the vessel that expired on April 30.

Meanwhile, Mr P.M. Mohammed Haneef, a trustee in the port trust Board in a statement requested the Port Chairman to take action against those who are responsible for not renewing the insurance policy of the dredger in the stipulated time.