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Feeder operators serving Kolkata port are upset at the sudden announcement of draft cut in the Hooghly river, throwing their shipping schedules out of gear.
On Wednesday, the port authorities had announced a draft cut ranging between 0.5 and 0.7 metres for the Kolkata Dock System on a day-to-day basis as per available depth due to “sudden and severe shoaling at Moyapur bar in the Hooghly river”.
On Friday, even a higher cut of 0.9 metres was announced, it is learnt. The cut will be in force for about a week, according to KoPT sources.
“Let the port authorities close the port till the draft improves,” says a jaded ship operator. “Under the present situation, it is becoming difficult to fulfil the contractual obligation to the cargo consignees.”
As it is, the port suffers from high cost of operation caused by high port charges, particularly vessel-related charges and the poor loadability of vessels caused by the draft restriction in the river.
“Our appeals for rationalisation of vessel related charges in view of difficulties in ship movement have so far gone unheeded,” the ship operator said.
>santanu.sanyal@thehindu.co.in
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