In a first, Kolkata Port handles bulk carrier MV Kishore with 54,000 MT of coal cargo

Kolkata: 'MV Kishore', one of the largest Mini Cape Vessels of its kind with 54,000 MT of coal cargo, built in 2012 was anchored at Sagar for the first time, making Kolkata Port privileged enough to handle such a bulk carrier.

"KoPT has entered the league to handle a capesize vessel for the first time. So far, the Port was handling Panamax vessels," said Vinit Kumar, chairman of Kolkata Port Trust (KoPT).

A senior KoPT official said such a mini cape Vessel at Sagar at 9.2 metre draft is a laudable landmark in the history of KoPT, despite its natural constraint being saddled with the responsibility of maintaining such one of the longest and most unpredictable navigational channels in the world. The entire cargo unloading started with two floating cranes and were transported through barges and subsequently handled at the Haldia Floating Barge Jetty, outside the lock gate.

It may be mentioned that the KoPT chairman laid great emphasis on transloading operation as it can rake up cargo handling overcoming perennial draft problems that restrict larger vessels from entering through the port jetties. "KoPT is having a constraint of draft in the channel and lock gate operation in the docks. By doing lighterage operation with this vessel, which has a very wide beam and can carry higher parcel load in draft of 9.2 metre, we have overcome the constraint of draft to a great extent," the official added.

The baby cape vessel has brought 54,000 tonne of coal from Indonesia for two corporate importers. Capesize vessels are large dry cargo ships and have a capacity to handle 90,000 to 1,30,000 tonne.

It may be mentioned that currently, most of the ships unload two-thirds of cargo at Paradip and one third at Haldia. But, under this trial with the baby cape size vessel, now two-third of cargo has come to Kolkata port.

"Target is to offload the entire cargo at KoPT at least during November-March period of the year," the official said.