CHENNAI : Fulfilling one of the long pending demands of Steamer Agents and scripting a new chapter in the history of 134-year old Chennai Port, the Port management has started anchorage bunkering operations on March 11.
The supply of bunker fuel to ships at anchorage is a business and international ports like Singapore and Colombo are the forerunners in bunkering in the region. It was a red-letter day for the Chennai Port management on March 11, when MT Jag Lakshita belonging to Great Eastern Shipping was supplied bunker fuel by Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) at Chennai Port anchorage.
The bunker fuel was filled from the IOC tanks in Chennai Port in barge and supplied to the vessel. RYK Freight Forwarders were the Agents and CHA for the vessel.
The shipping trade in the region has been requesting (Chennai Port) authorities to permit Bunkering of fuel to vessels calling Chennai and nearby ports for the past couple of years.
Sensing the potential of the business, Chennai Port has taken up the issue with the Customs and Immigration Departments to permit bunkering of fuel at the anchorage. The Chennai and Ennore port Steamer Agents Association (CHENSAA) also has been vigorously trying to get the approval for the anchorage bunkering operations from the concerned authorities.
Now, Customs and Immigration Departments granted approval for the operation enabling Indian Oil Corporation to supply the bunker to MT Jag Lakshita at anchorage.
Source: Dailyshippingtimes.com
