The Chennai Port is all set to create another record in its 137 years of service to the maritime trade of the country when it berths a VLCC (Very Large Crude Carrier) vessel on August 31, 2018, in its continuous endeavour to provide efficient service to meet the requirements of the Port users and the trade. The berthing of a big ship like VLCC in an alongside berth inside an enclosed harbour will be the first ever of its kind in an Indian port and by berthing the vessel, the Chennai Port will be the first among the ports of India to have such remarkable achievement.
The vessel, m.t. New Diamond of 1,60,079 GRT, chartered by Indian Oil Corporation Ltd on account of Chennai Petroleum Corporation Ltd, which left the Basra oil terminal on August 19, 2018 with 1,33,719 metric tonnes of Basra light crude oil is likely to arrive at Chennai Port at 2130 hrs on August 30, 2018 and will be berthed along side in the oil docks of Chennai Port on August 31, 2018. Navigation of such a bigger vessel inside breakwaters is a challenging task and requires professional acumen and sufficient towage support. The Marine Department of Chennai Port has made all arrangements for berthing the vessel with high powered tugs and the professionally-trained pilots of the Port will be engaged for safe navigation and berthing of the vessel. The Chennai Port is presently handling Suezmax oil tankers up to 1,50,000 DWT and the berthing of the VLCC will facilitate CPCL in improving the economies of scale by optimisation of expenditure. The officials of Chennai Port and CPCL are in close coordination for planning various operational requirements for the successful berthing of the VLCC at Chennai Port.
