New Mangalore Port Authority (NMPA) has announced several measures to mitigate the hardships faced by port users due to ongoing geopolitical disturbances in West Asia.

In a trade notice dated March 17, NMPA announced measures such as facility to store stranded containers in the terminal’s container yards / port storage area till the cargo is shipped out. NMPA and the terminal operator are in constant consultation with Customs authorities to facilitate storage of laden containers from other ports destined to West Asia, as temporary transshipment cargo at NMPA terminal.

The trade notice said that NMPA has sufficient storage capacity to provide additional space for terminal, export-import, and transit cargo.

NMPA shall offer waiver on charges like ground rent and reefer plug-in charges to the stranded export containers on request of the trade, it said.

NMPA will accommodate all additional stranded cargo and facilitate emergency discharge for vessels transiting to West Asia. Shipping lines requiring these services should coordinate with the port authorities immediately.

One covered shed and open yard are being exclusively earmarked for stranded and transit cargo, both containerized and perishable cargo, with adequate facility for stuffing and de-stuffing.

Dedicated storage zones have been earmarked for perishable cargo and reefer containers, supported by comprehensive handling infrastructure to ensure seamless operations.

It said that the container terminal operator has been informed to augment their resources for additional storage demand, keep all handling equipment in good condition, consider waiver on ground rent, dwell time of cargo and decongest any vessels waiting for container berth particularly for West Asia bound cargo.

NMPA also assured of priority berthing to LPG vessels.

Recently, the Union Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways had asked the major ports to to implement standard operating procedures (SOPs) to mitigate the impact of geopolitical disturbances in West Asia. 

Source: The Hindu Business Line 

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