Anchorage port operations dwindle

Kakinada, Nov 29 (UNI) The anchorage port workers in Kakinada port are in dire straits due to lack of adequate work at the port here.

Contrary to last year, very few ships are calling on the port this year following the ban imposed on the export of non-basmati rice and maize--the two major cargoes handled by the port, Union sources said today.

Fertiliser imports were not as much as workers, as they were diverted partly to the Deep water port. Despite the 'work sharing arrangement' made by the port authorities, it could not provide adequate work for the port workers. Unless fresh contracts is finalised, the possibility of further arrival of fertilizer-laden ships was ruled out.

Talking to UNI here today, Mr U Ramam representative of a leading export house said the relaxation of ban on maize exports could not benefit the port workers as the farmers were getting a higher price for their produce in the domestic market itself.

The worldwide recession had affected the entire shipping trade, he added. Meanwhile, the skeleton operations at the anchorage were also affected for the past three days owing to the cyclonic weather.

The lone ship 'M V My An', berthed on November 24 at the anchorage was waiting.

Of the total 6,600 MTs of maize to be loaded, only 4,632 Mts could be loaded due to adverse weather condition.

UNI XR/SM AKM 1933