MANGALORE, Dec 23 (The Hindu): A high-power committee constituted by the Ministry of Shipping has come to the conclusion that ships over 25 years should not be allowed to load iron ore at any Indian port. The committee is of the opinion that only duly certified ships should be allowed to conduct bulk loading operations in Indian ports.
The committee’s conclusion, which will be presented in the form of a recommendation to the Union Government, was arrived at after taking into consideration the sinking of MV Black Rose (off the Paradeep coast) and MV Asian Forrest of China that sank off the Mangalore coast some time ago.
The five-member committee, which is headed by Chairman of the National Shipping Board Captain P.V.K. Mohan, addressed a press conference here on Tuesday after talking to shippers, exporters, agents, stevedores and other interested parties at the New Mangalore Port.
Capt. Mohan pointed out that there had been a marked change in the way iron ore was transported. “We have moved from lumps to pellets and now 80 per cent of our ore is shipped in the form of fines. Transporting iron ore fines requires fit and specialised ships,” he said. He said that MV Black Rose was more than 25 years old and MV Asian Forrest was not suitable for carrying iron ore fines since it was a twin-deck, general cargo vessel.
The crew of MV Asian Forrest, who were supposed to be present during Tuesday’s deliberations, did not turn up. Taking exception to their absence, he said, “We have not received any cooperation from the crew of MV Asian Forrest during the deliberations.”
Talking about the causes for the sinking of the Asian Forrest, he said the total moisture limit (TML) of the ship’s cargo of iron ore should have been below eight per cent but instead it was recorded to be 10.5 per cent. Stating that a proper laboratory report about the TML before the ship set sail could have prevented the sinking, the committee decided to recommend the setting up of laboratories close to ports in the country. This would ensure quick results, Capt. Mohan said.
During its investigations into the affairs of various ports in the country, the committee had noted that several foreign ships that had offloaded their cargo tended to “hang around” Indian ports in the hope that they could pick up some cargo on their way back. This practice, said committee member Capt. L.K. Panda, was usually followed by oil tankers that wanted to make some extra money on their return journey.
Considering the security threats that this throws up, the committee has brought this practice to the notice of the Navy and the Coast Guard.