Paradip, Dhamra ports to resume operations this week

PPT will start full scale loading and unloading by Thursday after assessing the damage caused by the cyclone

The ports at Paradip and Dhamra that had suspended operations due to the severe cyclonic storm Phailin, are gearing up to resume normal business.

Paradip Port Trust (PPT), which had halted cargo operations in its area on last Friday on the eve of the Phailin strike, has started operations partially by allowing small sized vessels. It will start full scale loading and unloading by Thursday after assessing the damage caused by the cyclone, said officials.

On Monday, the port decided to allow vessels up to a draught of 13 metres, to berth inside the port area for cargo loading and unloading. A total of three vessels were permitted to upload and unload cargo, mainly coal, with a total traffic of 58,200 tonne. Though the port did not report major damage to its properties, officials said uprooting of some 10,000 trees blocked key roads to its dock area.

Two days before landfall of Phailin, the port had removed all the vessels inside its berthing area in anticipation of damage to the ships expecting speedy wind and a turbulent sea.

Among other ports of the state, Dhamra Port Company Ltd (DPCL) ,which operates a non-major port in Bhdrak district, said it will resume cargo handling operations from Wednesday. "We have started our site operations today after a closure of three days. Since there was no damage due to the cyclone, we will allow vessels to start arriving tomorrow," said a DPCL source.

Meanwhile the authorities of Gopalpur port, a minor port, said several portions of the port, including break-water and berth have been damaged in the cyclonic storm.

"The loss however, is yet to be calculated. "It will take about one-and-half month to bring normalcy," said director of Gopalpur Ports Ltd (GPL) M M Moharana.

Two vessels were scheduled to anchor in the port, but GPL has asked them to defer the date of arrival, he added.