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VASCO
The ‘MT Nu Shi Nalini’ tanker had plans to offload of about 2,500 metric tonnes a few months ago, but the operations are alleged to have been delayed
on account of lengthy Customs procedures, sources linked to the MPT have disclosed.
“While the ‘MT Nu Shi Nalini’ tanker was at berth, the transfer of cargo could not take place because permissions from the Customs, mandatory for the discharge of cargo, was delayed on account of lengthy procedures,” said the source.
“The tanker owners and port vendors struggled for months together to get the Customs permissions, which eventually led them to approach the High Court, seeking an order to direct Customs to expedite the case.”
“Finally, a 200% duty was imposed by the Customs on account of the country of origin, which made the work not feasible for any person, ship owner or port clearance vendors, while the ship was at berth in the MPT.”
“While the owner claimed the cargo as contaminated and insisted that the cargo be cleared as contaminated waste, the customs department claimed that there was no way of ascertaining the cargo was not in its original form and finally as per certain guidelines, the cargo was placed under 200% customs duty.”
“After the discharge of cargo on board ship failed at the berth, the tanker owners then decided on a Ship-to-Ship (STS) transfer by placing the ‘MT Nu Shi Nalini’ tanker at the inner anchorage. The tanker owners yet again sought permissions for this STS transfer, but senior officers of Customs were on leave and due to many other reasons, these permissions were also not received as yet,” said the source.
The MPT source said the tanker owners had planned to get another ship which would be alongside the ‘MT Nu Shi Nalini’.
“Then, there would have been an STS transfer and cargo would have then been transferred from ‘MT Nu Shi Nalini’ to the other ship, which would then leave the port with the cargo to another country, because the cargo could not be offloaded anywhere in India as per certain guidelines.”
“The other ship was to have come earlier but with the delay in permissions, it was then decided to get the other ship on October 25. However with further delay, there were plans to get the ship on October 27, but since Customs permissions have not yet been received as yet, the ship is likely to be brought on October 31.”
According to the source, the STS operation would necessitate the tanker owners to get necessary equipment and hire a specialised team for the STS transfer.
“The equipment and team was to arrive from Mumbai and then both ships would be brought to Berth 8 at MPT. The cargo would then be transferred from ‘MT Nu Shi Nalini’ to the other ship and the other ship will leave the port,” said the source.
“Once the STS is done, the unladen ‘MT Nu Shi Nalini’ tanker will then return to the anchorage and the tanker owners will take a call on the next step. But under the present situation, it is difficult to obtain Customs permissions in a day and since Saturday and Sunday are holidays we can only hope for these permission on Monday,” the source added.
