MORMUGAO PORT TRUST
TRAFFIC DEPARTMENT
HEADLAND, SADA

Ref. No.TM/490/2009/ 1238

02.03.2009

MINUTES OF THE COMBINED MEETING OF THE PORT OPERATIONAL GROUP AND SHIPPERS' ASSOCIATION HELD ON 17/02/2009 AT 1130 HRS. IN THE BOARD ROOM OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE BUILDING

Chairman welcomed all the members who were present at the meeting and asked the Traffic Manager(TM) to proceed with the meeting. TM informed that the POG Meeting which was supposed to be held on 22/1/2009 got postponed due to administrative reasons and reviewed the Minutes of the last meeting. .

1. TRAFFIC POSITION:

TM stated that he was happy to inform that during December, 2008, a record handling of 5.5 Million Tonnes was achieved surpassing the earlier record of 4.8 Million Tonnes handled in April, 2008. As on today, Mormugao Port handled total traffic of 34.65 Million Tonnes. He further informed that as per Indian Ports Association, there are only two Ports, i.e. Mormugao and Kandla, who are maintaining two digit traffic growth for the current year. Mormugao Port stands first among the major Ports in traffic growth of 21% as on today and expects to maintain the same percentage for the current financial year. TM informed that the iron ore traffic was 28.04 Million Tonnes this year as compared to 21.68 Million Tonnes last year. Iron ore handled at Berth No.9 was 9.79 Million Tonnes this year as compared to 8.10 Million Tonnes last year. The Coal traffic handled was 4.34 Million Tonnes as compared to 4.6 Million Tonnes during the corresponding period of last year. Coal/Coke handled at Berth Nos.10 & 11 was less by 3 Lakh Tonnes as compared to last year. POL and other Chemicals was 1.07 Million Tonnes. To a query about Container traffic, TM stated during the current year, Port has handled 12,657 TEUs as compared to 12,517 TEUs.

Shri A.J. Peters, President/MPRWU queried whether there will be any improvement in the Coal traffic at Berth No.11. Chairman replied that Coal market is volatile and depends upon the demand.

Chairman complimented the Traffic and Marine Departments and the Union leaders and employees for this magnificent performance and for their valuable co-operation in achieving the record performance.

2. BUNKERING OF BARGES:

While briefing on the traffic position, the barge owners' representative informed that more cargo would have been handled if bunkering is made available to the barges round-the-clock by M/s. Indian Oil Corporation IOC) and requested Chairman to intervene and solve the problem. Dy. Conservator informed that when he contacted M/s. IOC, it was stated that in view of less demand of diesel during the night shift, bunkering service is restricted and also the barge owners are not taking full quantity. The representative of barge owners said that this could have happened during the slack period of October and September and now they are ready to take a minimum of 3 KL diesel. On hearing this, Chairman directed DC & CE to intervene and find a solution with M/s. IOC, which will improve the iron ore traffic.

3. ADDITIONAL CARGO:

TM further informed that for the first time about 594 Tonnes of Steel Plates brought in Mini Bulk Carriers (MBC) was handled and import of raw sugar in bulk of about 33,000 tonnes is expected. The cargo will be stored in the E-1 shed and in the open plot.

Shri Parwar, Working President/GPDEU referring to the statistics stated that though 100% traffic is increased at WOB when compared to last year, the proportionate traffic of 25% as per the Scheme is not seen at the Mooring Dolphins which affects the employment opportunities to the workers and similarly MPT revenue has been decreased. Chairman stated that the co-relation of 25% is irrational and at any given time a minimum of 10-15 vessels can be handled at WOB and maximum 3 vessels can be handled at the MDs. To supplement further, TM informed that new shippers like East-West international, VGM, etc. are operating at WOB and these shippers are not operating at the Mooring Dolphins during the monsoons and therefore 25% criteria will not apply to them. In this regard, a Table Paper was placed before the Board, which will be forwarded to the Unions for their reference. To a query, Chairman replied that with the fantastic co-operation of the Unions, Port is able to supply the full demand of sets for the vessel operation and therefore requested to verify this information with the stevedores. To this, Shri Parwar suggested to increase the operation of the vessel by employing all 4 cranes of the vessel whereas only 2-3 cranes have been provided per ship at a time. TM informed that at Mooring Dolphins, all 4 Cranes cannot be engaged in view of the problem in placing the barge alongside the ship and availability of cargo.

4. PERFORMANCE OF VESSELS:

TM informed that in the lean season though good vessels are available the receivers are bringing the old vessels which are affecting the overall performance of the Port. For instance, M.V. ORAM BRICKS which arrived on 30/01/09 for discharging 6140 Tonnes of Phosphoric Acid, at B. No. 10 took 37 hrs. which is in excess of 19 hrs. against the planned hours due to pump problem and therefore the vessel was banned for further entry into the Port. Capt. Bruno reacting to this, stated that this vessel was chartered by M/s ZIL and assured that he will take up the matter with them. Chairman directed TM to ban such vessels and to inform MMD & DG Shipping accordingly. DC informed that the vessel entered our Port without certification, which was chartered by M/s J M Baxi . To this Capt Bruno stated that the matter should have been brought to their notice. DC replied that a Circular to this effect has already been issued.

5. SHORTAGE OF PILOTS:

Chairman informed that as there is no longer shortage of Pilots, the item may be dropped and complimented Marine Dept. for doing a wonderful job.

6. LOADING AT MOHP:

As on date, 9.8 Million Tonnes of cargo was handled at Berth No.9 and Chairman desired all the big exporters should support in achieving 12 Million Tonnes traffic at Berth No.9. Shri A. Dessai of M/s. Sesa Goa stated that he will assure 1 Million Tonnes of cargo which is expected to be handled during the months of February and March, 2009 and he requested the other exporters also to contribute to achieve the desired target. Chairman expressed his gratitude and said that since they were occupying a larger area of MOHP plot, they should do much more and also requested M/s. VMS and M/s. VSD to handle the maximum of cargo in March, 2009 at Berth No.9 to achieve 1 Million Tonnes.

7- CONTAINER YARD:

TM informed that with the introduction of Yard Management System by the Contractor, M/s. Roadwings International Ltd. It is noted that the system is very effective and helpful in tracing the containers and requested feed-back from the Customs House Agents in this regard. Shri Mario Furtado replied that the system is working satisfactorily. Chairman stated that if identification is provided there may not be any discrepancy in container billing. Chairman asked the old container billing status To this, TM informed that he called for a meeting on 18/2/09 with the Main Line Operators(MLOs) to sort out the old bills.

8. DEVELOPMENT QF BERTH NO.7:

Chairman briefed on the development works being carried out at the Port. He stated that the project at Berth No.7 is on the verge of being finalized hopefully by end of April, 2009 and informed that atleast 5 Million Tonnes of Coal/Coke is expected to be handled at this Berth. It was informed that Berth No.8 is being shifted by 100 meters towards Berth No.9. He queried whether Berth No. 10 could be made a dedicated container berth and asked for the reaction of the members, as Berth No.11 will be a General Cargo Berth. He wanted to know whether at Berth No. 10, we have sufficient container cargo and the general understanding of the experts, whether container traffic will increase. To this, there was no adequate response/feed-back received from the members present.

Shri Parwar of GPDEU queried to know about the containerization of alumina which will improve the container traffic at our Port. TM stated that whenever the parcel size is less and they are not in a position to get proper vessel, at that time they are exporting through containers and not in regular shipments.

9. POLLUTION:

CE brought to notice about the Suo Moto Writ Petition filed by the Concerned Citizens of Vasco on the issue that the Port is not taking adequate measures to contain the level of Coal dust pollution caused due to the plying of overloaded trucks through the city. TM replied that on 2/2/009, two representatives of the Concerned Citizens of Vasco visited Berth Nos.10 & 11 and ascertained the action taken by the Port and Mormugao Port Users Association, to contain the dust pollution including the installation of wind screen at Berth No.11. During the inspection, it was noticed that fine dust of left out cargo was piled over the storage plot area, which causes dust pollution during movement of the trucks. Immediately a meeting was convened with the Port Users and Mormugao Port Users Association, who agreed to sweep and clear the fine dust manually.

Shri Dessai of MPUA stated that they are sprinkling water round-the-clock upto 2 o'clock midnight - around 250 tonnes of water by mobile sprinklers and further by fixed jet sprinklers operated about 100 tonnes of water is being sprayed by MPT. He stated that the dust on the road is blown by the wind, as the trucks are moving on the empty plots. He suggested that plot management system has to be implemented very strictly with a condition not to run the trucks on the empty places but only on the wet road. In this regard, TM requested the Association to implement the plot management system, as suggested.

Chairman desired to know how many times our Port sprinklers are sprinkling water. CE replied that 6 sprinklers installed are operated 3 times a day and spraying about 100 tonnes of water and further mobile sprinkling is round the clock whenever need arises. Shri Dessai stated that they have already written a letter to CE regarding the availability of water for the fixed sprinklers. Chairman directed that an undertaking has to be obtained from the importers for cleaning the plots thoroughly after evacuation of the cargo.

One of the members of GBOA brought to notice that outside the city there is a lot of spillage of coal from the overloaded trucks, which is causing a great problem to the Vascoites. TM stated that this should be handled by the RTO and however Port has issued a Circular to the Coal Importers/Agents advising them to restrict overloading.

10. OTHERS:

Capt. Bruno queried to know about the progress of the additional 3 Nos. Mooring Dolphins. It was stated that work will be over by March. Chairman replied that the Mooring Dolphins are not ready since the dredging work is yet to be done. However, the contractor has given an assurance that the 6th MD will be ready before the monsoons. The work is behind schedule by %2 .months because the contractor has defaulted claiming that he is in financial problems. Terminating the contract and re-tendering will take more than 2-3 years. So also the work of converting the mole to a finger jetty will be ready by December and could be used for handling Cruise ships.

Shri Dessai of M/s. Sesa suggested that an additional Tug will help the operations at the MD, which will be required for pilotage, in addition to increase in number of movements. Chairman stated that the work at the additional MDs may be privatized on tender basis and depending on the terms and conditions, the successful bidder would procure and deploy the Tug.

To a query as to the progress of the 4-lane road. Chairman gave a brief on the difficulties being faced and stated that for another one year no results will be seen.

Shri Dessai of M/s. Sesa stated that they are coming up with a venture and trying to export 5 lakh quantity of iron ore fines in the Mooring Dolphins during the monsoon period. He added that it will be brought in barges which have hatch covers. So also a shed is being prepared at Raibunder, which will be ready in a short time. Around 2 1/2 lakhs of cargo will be kept in the shed and will be loaded into the barges.

TM brought to notice about the letter written by M/s. Shradha Shipping Co. Pvt. Ltd., stating about the collision of their iron ore loaded barge, M.V. Shri Rashtroli PNJ 313 on 26.12.08 with a large oceangoing ship, M.V. VINASHIN GLORY, which was proceeding towards Mormugao Port. The collision resulted in a serious damage to the barge, which was denied by the Master of the vessel, but for the installation of the VTS and would like to place the appreciation on record to the Marine Department.

Shri Braganza of M/s. VMS brought to notice about the discrepancies noticed, in-the EDI system and delay in settlement of bills. He requested that it could be speeded up, being cargo related iron ore vessels, which is a straight forward calculation. FA&CAO queried whether it was the first time or regularly such delay occurs. He requested for the details and advised him to approach him whenever there were such delays.

TM informed that the Port norms for liquid cargo vessels handled at Berth No.8 and other general cargo berth will be reviewed. The representative of GBOA raised the issue of dispensing with the Boat Note. They requested to take up the issue of discarding the Boat Note with the Customs. Chairman directed that this issue should be taken up in the ensuing Scope Shipping Meeting. TM replied that an official reply has already been received from the Commissioner of Customs, stating that the Boat Note could not be dispensed with as per the Customs Act. However, he assured to take up the issue at the appropriate forum. TM also informed all the shippers and the agents that henceforth the passed Shipping Bill will be insisted upon to be produced to the Port before commencement of loading. The iron ore exporters and Customs House Agents replied that accordingly the shipment is carried out only after the passed Shipping Bill and they are ready to hand over the same to the Port.

The meeting ended with vote of thanks to the Chair and the next date would be informed accordingly.

Any additional item required to be discussed in the next meeting may be forwarded to this office, in advance.

List of participants who attended the meeting is enclosed as Annexure-I.

(TRAFFIC-MANAGER)

End: as above

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ATTENDANCE SHEET

COMBINED MEETING OF THE PORT OPERATIONAL GROUP AND

SHIPPERS SERVICE CELL.

Date: 17/02/2009