Deendayal Port Authority (DPA) has announced safety measures for project cargo vessels carrying wind blades and other abnormal cargo/structure.
It has been observed that the configurations of such vessels are not conducive to safe pilot boarding and berthing operations, due to:
* Insufficient freeboard for safe pilot boat operations
* Absence of sufficient parallel body
* Lack of continuous and uniform plane surface on the ship’s side
* Increased incidence of operational difficulties, including pilot injury risks and cancellation of berthing operations during dark hours, and damage to port infrastructure
Pilot boats are unable to go alongside due to curved surfaces and abnormal vessel structures, and harbour tugs may be required for safe pilot boarding.
Therefore, with immediate effect:
In such cases, charges will be levied as per Clause 2.2.22 of the applicable SOR in addition to any other charges.
Vessel agents must declare the nature of cargo and vessel structural limitations in advance while applying for pilotage and berthing permissions.
The port reserves the right to impose additional safety conditions and deny pilotage/berthing if vessel configuration is found to be unsafe, as per a communique.
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