The Kolkata Port Trust today said it had carried out transloading operation at Kanika Sands for the first time, a major step to boost cargo operation in the riverine port.
KoPT in a statement said the transloading commenced on October 15 from large bulk carrier M.V. Sapphire carrying about 72,500 MT of coal to transloader M.V. Vighnraj which will receive the entire cargo from the other vessel.
The cargo, thereafter, will be transported to NTPC's Farakka power plant by daughter vessels/barges through National waterway, the port said.
"With this, round-the-year transloading and transhipment operations for handling much-needed coal, iron ore and other bulk commodities to feed the region will be streamlined," KopT chairman RPS Kahlon said.
Transloading has been mooted to overcome its perennial draft constraint at Haldia.
Kolkata Port has introduced round the year ship-to-Ship (STS) transloading operation at Sandheads and also at Kanika Sands.
With government's focus on reviving the NW-I, Haldia port will get a major boost in cargo handling through transloading activity.
