After restoring cargo handling a few days after Hudhud-hit the coast, Visakhapatnam Port has set in motion the process to rebuild offshore tanker terminal (OST).
Experts from Afcon Infrastructure recently inspected the damaged OST and suggested three alternatives. They are expected to submit a plan of action in a fortnight.
“We will zero in on best viable alternative and issue the work order for a detailed project report after consulting HPCL on their requirement of imported crude in coming years,” Visakhapatnam Port Chairman M.T. Krishna Babu told The Hindu on Thursday.
Badly damaged OST has to be rebuilt with an estimated investment of Rs.100 crore to Rs.120 crore. The port also needs to repair the partially damaged south breakwater for which a survey on the extent of damage is presently going on.
HPCL’s Visakh Refinery has a capacity of 8.33 million tonnes per annum. It is awaiting clearance from the Ministry of Environment and Forests to enhance its capacity to 15 million tonnes. There is also a proposal to set up a Greenfield refinery-cum-petrochemical complex in the PCPIR by HPCL in partnership with some other companies.
Sources said Afcon, which specialises in underwater tanker terminals, will also study the viability of constructing a new mooring dolphin or to strengthen the existing one. Mooring dolphin is a device which is fixed to the seabed to handle large size vessels.
Presently, HPCL is banking on Single Point Mooring to receive vessels for meeting its raw material requirement from abroad. SPM has a capacity to handle 10 million tonnes per annum.
On receipt of a preliminary report on the damage caused to its infrastructure by the port, Ministry of Shipping deputed its development advisor on a fact-finding mission. The official recently visited the port and he is expected to submit a report to the Ministry soon.
