Chennai oil spill: Kamarajar Port gives recommendations

Kamarajar Port Ltd has presented a set of recommendations to the Captain Subhash Kumar Committee, probing the collision of two cargo ships off the coast here in January, to enhance operational efficiency, a top official said today.

The 15-20 recommendations to the Committee presented is aimed at augmenting its resources so that port operations are carried out efficiently, Kamarajar Port Ltd., Chairman and Managing Director, M A Bhaskarachar said.

"We have given about 15-20 recommendations to the Captain Subhash Kumar Committee.. One of the highlights is the use of mariners in VTMS (Vessel Traffic Management System) instead of an operator (as practiced earlier)" he told reporters.

Asked on the impact of the oil spill which occurred following the collision of cargo ships on January 28, he said the Port has estimated the damage at Rs 60 lakh.

"As of now, the DG Shipping is investigating the matter.. What we have claimed is Rs 60 lakh," he said.

To a query, Bhaskarachar said, "M T Dawn,

Kancheepuram" was occupying the berth at Port and would pay the charges till the completion of investigation.

The mishap occurred at 4 AM on January 28 when 'M T BW Maple' with flag "Isle of Man"  was leaving the port after emptying Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and M T Dawn, Kancheepuram, loaded with petroleum oil lubricant (POL) was on its way to berth.