Mumbai Port’s decision to raise the draft level to 10.3 metres and 11 metres to dock vessels at BPX and BPS respectively, subject to low tides being over 60 cm has been welcomed by maritime fraternity.
This has avoided the waiting period for the vessels arriving with deep drafts till the tide is favourable for berthing. At times, such vessels had to arrange for discharging the import cargo for reducing the draft in stream and only subsequently berth at BPX/BPS.
Similarly, vessels with export-oriented cargo had to leave the berth to move further in the stream to enable loading cargo on the vessels.
With the raising of the draft levels, the vessels operators can now improve turnaround time and reduce the additional costs incurred in loading and unloading cargo.
In a letter to Mumbai Port, Maritime Association of Nationwide Shipping Agencies – India said, “Our members appreciated the move and are highly grateful for this progressive move to facilitate the docking of deeper vessels thereby reducing the waiting time for such vessels on arrival during the fluctuating tides for berthing.”
