Experts at the international bunker (supply of fuel) conference has emphasised the need for developing good infrastructure to make Kochi as a leading bunkering destination.

There is a need to develop barge jetties and storage tanks, good fleet of barges to supply fuel even during monsoon so as to increase bunker business in India, they said while speaking at the second international bunker conference organised by the Cochin Port Trust.

India is presently under performing in bunkering business at 1.5 million tonnes despite the potential of figures going up to 7 million in five years. Kochi has big potential to develop off-shore bunkering (providing bunker to ships passing through international routes near to the port).

However the need of the hour is to expand the infrastructure, maximum use of the present supportive tax regime and reliable product availability. Kochi now has a reputation of reliable quality and quantity. This image will go a long way to support the port, they said.

Speaking on the occasion, Paul Antony, Chairman, Cochin Port Trust said that the bunker industry has been making rapid strides and the growth is expected to exceed 20 per cent next year in Kochi which offers a single window operation with lowest rate of taxes for the job.

With an objective to achieve a million-tonne bunkering business, he said the port plans to improve its existing facilities in the berths and to construct a multi user liquid terminal on Puthuvypeen Island in collaboration with a public sector oil company.

A.K.Balyan, Managing Director & CEO, Petronet LNG Ltd gave a detailed presentation on LNG bunkering highlighting its potential as the fuel of future. Petronet, he said, has yet again catapulted Kochi into pioneer of LNG bunkering not just in India but also in the South East Asian region.

Related Topics
comment COMMENT NOW