Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje 
Daijiworld Media Network—Mangalore (RS/CN)

Mangalore, Jan 27: An additional liquid petroleum gas (LPG) unloading facility installed by Total Oil India Limited was inaugurated at berth number 12 at New Mangalore Port on Monday January 25.

The facility has been provided by Total Oil at a cost of Rs 65 crore and was inaugurated by P Tamilvanan, chairman, New Mangalore Port Trust (NMPT). 

He said that it was a necessity found by NMPT as well as the demand of the oil companies due to an increase in quantum of import and discharge of LPG. 

Prakash Jonnalagadda, chief executive officer, LPG division of Total Oil, said that the company supplies LPG across south India as well as Pune in Maharashtra. 

“This new facility at berth number 12 will eliminate the need for ships wait to discharge LPG and thereby reduce outgo of foreign exchange by way of demurrage to the shipping companies”, he said. 

The new facility will be helpful to oil companies as it cuts down waiting time for ships and helps them plan their imports better. It will also serve as an alternative to berth number 9.

“Total Oil India was importing oil through berth number 9 and it found that the increase in the quantum of LPG being imported and discharged at the port raised a need for the commissioning of one more berth and NMPT was also encouraged in this matter. The company has set up the facility within a record time of three months”, informed Jonnalagadda. 

“At present berth number 9 handles 1.57 metric tonnes of LPG and is being utilized by HPCL and Total Oil India. The additional berth will be allotted on a first-come-first-serve basis and can handle 3.8 million tonnes of cargo including furnace oil, naptha, and edible oil yearly”, said Tamilvanan.