Preferential berth allotment

19 Jan 2023 / Tuticorin, India

V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority (VOCPA) proposes to introduce an MGT-based Preferential Berth Allotment scheme extended to all importers who guarantee a MGT of 1 million MT of dry bulk cargo (other than coal).

Priority berthing shall be provided for vessels without restriction in berth stay, subject to the following conditions:

  1. The importer applies for the Preferential Berthing Allotment Scheme 2023 committing a MGT of 1 MMTPA for handling dry cargoes other than coal at VOCPA for the year 2023.

  2. The Importer shall submit the following document along with the application:
    a. Commitment letter for handling the MGT volume of 1MMTPA at VOCPA in the prescribed format.
    b. Irrevocable Bank Guarantee (BG) equivalent to wharfage charges plus applicable GST for 1 MMT, in favour of FA&CAO, VOC Port Authority, drawn in any scheduled bank payable at Tuticorin branch valid until 31.03.2024, with a claim period up to 30.06.2024.
    c. Undertaking Letter to handle the MGT of 1 MMT of dry bulk cargo other than coal, sailing which/and in the event of a shortfall in the handled quantity, express No Objection to encashment of the BG to the tune of the applicable wharfage charges plus GST for the shortfall quantity.

  3. Request for priority shall be entered through NLP Marine.

  4. Parameters for berthing of vessels shall be according to the Trade Notice dated 08-08-2019.

  5. Berthing and shifting of vessels shall be according to the Berthing Policy for berthing of vessels at VOCPA published on 22-09-2020 and Trade Notice dates 12-04-2019.

  6. Vessel & cargo related charges including priority berthing charges, as per General SoR, shall be paid before berthing of the vessel. However, if the vessel is berthed under normal arrival priority, no priority charges shall be collected for that vessel.

  7. Priority berthing shall not be extended to vessels carrying part cargo. Cargo discharged from vessels berthed on normal arrival priority including part cargo shall also be accounted for the MGT.

  8. Coastal cargo shall not be accounted for MGT.

  9. Berthing will be provided based on the IGM and cargo shall be accounted based on the Importer’s name & IE Code in the Customs OOC document for the MGT.

  10. Interested importers shall apply to the port on or before 31.01.2023.

  11. The scheme will be valid for one year from the date of acceptance issued by the VOCPA.

For further information and updates, as well as information about operations in India, contact GAC India at [email protected]

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