VASCO
The Mormugao Port Authority (MPA) on Saturday resumed port operations after a suspension lasting over 60 hours, following a cyclone formation alert issued earlier this week.
Operations had been halted in response to a cyclone formation reported by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) along the North Karnataka and Goa coast on May 21.
In line with safety protocols, the MPA had issued a circular directing all ocean-going vessels to sail out to sea and comply with the standard operating procedure (SOP) to ensure port and navigation safety.
“Under the influence of a cyclonic formation, a low-pressure area was likely to form in the region. In view of the prevailing weather conditions and in the interest of port and navigation safety, the MPA ceased all port operations. All ocean-going vessels were advised to sail out to sea as a precautionary measure and would be re-berthed once the weather improved. Unberthing and berthing charges during this period would be borne by the MPA,” stated the circular.
With the weather situation improving, the MPA recalled all vessels back to port, and cargo handling operations resumed smoothly.
While the SOP was followed in the interest of safety, sources said that the suspension reportedly caused inconvenience to some stakeholders, including shipping agents, stevedores, and ship operators.
“It has been almost over 60 hours that operations had been stalled. While we understand that the SOPs were to be followed, the delay has caused a lot of inconvenience. The ships are on a strict time-specific charter route and such delays can cause unexplained losses to the ship charterers. However, we had no option as the MPA’s circular had to be complied with as it was a preventive measure for port and navigation safety,” said a stakeholder, speaking on condition of anonymity.
