FIRST-EVER SHIP-TO-SHIP OPERATION OF LPG AT SYAMA PRASAD MOOKERJEE PORT

FIRST-EVER SHIP-TO-SHIP OPERATION OF LPG AT SYAMA PRASAD MOOKERJEE PORT

Context:

The first STS LPG operation on the Indian Ocean was carried out by BPCL on October 15, 2021. BPCL partnered with service providers M / s Fendercare Marine to bring services at the offshore STS location.

Significance of the Move:

• The restricted draft in the river channel required that certain goods be unloaded at neighbouring ports before driving to the Haldia Dock Complex (HDC) or the Kolkata Dock System (KDS) of the Sysma Prasad Mookerjee Port Kolkata (formerly known as the Kolkata Port Trust). Consequent to two-port discharge, vessels have freight and additional steaming time.
• Several discussions with the senior management of the Oil Manufacturing Companies such as BPCL, IOCL, HPCL and other independent LPG distributors and other liquid products have pointed to internal benefits that could be used to extend the Ship-to-Ship Transfer (STS) of LPG/ Liquid Cargo at the Deep drafted anchorage points of SMP, Kolkata.
• The Single Port Handling would not only allow draft restriction at Haldia thereby opposing the transportation of dead goods but also will help to consolidate other cargo thus thereby reducing unit costs.

Previous STS Operation:

• The STS Operation for BPCL was done earlier done at Male and by doing the STS Operation at HDC, BPCL will save some very important foreign exchange. This operation at HDC reduces the time taken by a daughter vessel by 7-9 days from another BPCL STS operating facility which ultimately saves approximately US $ 3,50,000 per trip due to BPCL.