AP: Kakinada Port facing shortage of jetties

Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh, Aug 16: The Kakinada Anchorage Port is once again facing the problem of congestion due to lack of sufficient jetties, shipping agents said.

As many as 15 vessels were stationed in the anchorage either getting loaded or discharging consignments for the past few days.

Of the 15 vessels, four were being loaded with rice, five with maize, one with potash fertiliser and the remaining waiting as on date.

Another seven ships were expected to arrive in a day or two for taking rice and maize.

The reason for several ships waiting, according to shipping agents, was slowdown of the steel barges movement.

''Paradox is we are having the cargo, steel barges and men to handle. But due to lack of infrastructure , especially the jetties, the steel barges turn around time is getting affected.

''We have to be content with working on the existing 14 jetties as the Customs has de-notified 11 jetties on the grounds of safety, proving to be a major bottleneck,'' Mr Arun Chapekar, a leading shipping agent, said.

He said the congestion problem would persist unless the wharf facility is enlarged. Several other steamer agents also concurred and wanted the Port Department to construct at least ten jetties on a war footing to tide over the problem.

UNI