V.O. Chidambaranar port begins cargo handling on trial basis in new berth

OUR BUREAU, THE HINDU BUSINESS LINE
CHENNAI, MARCH 26:
The newly constructed North Cargo Berth-I at V O Chidambaranar port has started to handle general cargo on a trial basis.

The berth is for exclusive use for Neyveli Tamil Nadu Power Ltd to handle coal for their 2 x 500 MW units.

However, since the units are under construction, the VOC Port Trust decided to handle different types of cargo to keep the berth busy.

The berth was constructed at a cost of Rs 34 crore by the VOC Port Trust (formerly the Tuticorin Port Trust).

It has 306 m in length and a draught of 12.8 metres.

The capacity of the port will be increased by 6.3 mt when the berth is fully commissioned.

The new berth can now handle different types of dry bulk cargo vessels drawing a maximum permissible draught of 10.70 m on trial basis till the Neyveli Tamil Nadu Power is ready to handle its captive cargo, according to a press release issued by the port trust.

Availing the new facility, a dry bulk carrier, Atlas, was berthed last week to load 44,000 tonnes of raw sugar to Port Kelang in Malaysia.

Mr A. Subbiah of the port trust said the newly formed central breakwater in which the North Cargo Berth-1 is located, will have three more berths — North Cargo Berth-II, North Cargo Berth-III and North Cargo Berth-IV — in the near future.

All the berths put together will have a capacity of 30 mt.