With dredging incomplete, new coal berth at NMPT idling: KCCI

A new berth for mechanised handling for coal at the New Mangalore Port has been lying idle for over two months since its inauguration as it was commissioned before completion of capital dredging and providing adequate draft, according to the Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

In a memorandum to the Union Minister of State for Shipping (independent charge), Mansukh L Mandaviya, during his visit to Mangaluru recently, PB Abdul Hameed, president of KCCI, said the newly constructed berth 16 for mechanised handling of coal was inaugurated in May. Quoting the operators of the berth, he said the 325-metre-long berth has the capacity to handle vessels up to 1 lakh DWT with maximum permissible depth of 15.1 metres. However, Hameed said the berth has been commissioned with a declared draft of 11.90 m and LOA (length overall) of 190 m.