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NT Bureau
Chennai, Aug 20:

        Tuticorin Port Trust has successfully handled deep draught vessels at its anchorage. It handled the fist coal vessel from 10 to 12 August, 2007.

        It may be noted that Tuticorin Port Trust had announced its proposal in July 2006 to handle deep draught vessels arriving with a draught beyond 10.7 meters.

        According to A Subbiah, deputy chairman, Tuticorin Port Trust, the Port had proposed to handle deep draught vessels at the anchorage subject to certain conditions. The conditions were issued as 'Trade Notice' dated 5 July, 2007 and supplemented with another notice dated 22, March, 2007.

        Availing the new facility offered by Tuticorin Port, Seapol Shipping Pvt Ltd.Tuticorin nominated a collier mv 'Elpida S', with a parcel of 53,106 tonnes of coal, which arrived with a draught of 12.46 meters on 10 August, 2007. The Indonesian coal was imported by Coastal Energy, Chennai. The lighterage operation was effected by deploying two self propelled barges of capacity 1,000 MT and 1,200 MT. After successful lighterning of about 8,720 tonnes of cargo, the vessel reached the permissible draught of 10.7 meters and berthed at VOC Berth No.III for full and final discharge of cargo. On successful completion of both anchor-age and alongside operat-ions, the collier sailed from Tuticorin Port by PM hours on 16 August, 2007. The introduction of anchorage operation in Tuticorin Port saves the 'Dead

        Freight' payable to vessels calling Tuticorin Port and facilitates handling of Panamax vessels without any pre berthing detention.