Paradip Port resumes normal operations after week-long standoff

Cargo loading/unloading had stopped last Wednesday as Dumper Owners' Association and Stevedores' body struck work

Normal operations resumed at the Paradip Port on Wednesday after a week long standoff between the Stevedores' Association and the port authorities ended with the intervention of the district administration.

Cargo loading and unloading work at the port had come to a halt since last Wednesday as the Dumper Owners' Association (DOA) and Paradeep Port Stevedores' Association (PPSA) had refused to work.

"The port authorities honouring the constructive suggestions given by the collector and district magistrate, had made arrangements for revocation of the order for cancellation of the permits issued to all dumpers/equipment and drivers and helpers of the vehicles on September 22. More so, as per the meeting taken by the district collector, all the stake holders including PPSA and the DOA whole heartedly resumed cargo operation from 6 am (on Wednesday) as a result of which complete normalcy in port operation including the wagon/truck loading/unloading operation has resumed", said a release from Paradip Port Trust (PPT).

Out of the 12 ships at berth, 11 ships are working in the port and one ship has sailed today morning. Similarly, three more ships have been programmed to come for cargo operation and two ships are expected to sail out by Thursday morning, it added.

It may be noted that a Jindal Steel & Power (JSPL) vessel named MV HARM berthed at the port since last Wednesday loaded with 86,000 tonne of hard coking coal was stuck due to the impasse. This vessel was allotted to Seaways Shipping & Logistics Pvt Ltd for undertaking stevedoring and intra-port transportation of work. The DOA and PPSA had opposed stevedoring operations by Seaways Shipping after the shipping line refused to bow to their demand to snap contract with JSPL. Seaways Shipping & Logistics Pvt Ltd is likely to complete the cargo operation by Thursday.