Norms for minor ports notified

They specify procedures to handle mishaps

Ramanathapuram, 13/01/2013: The century-old railway bridge near Pamban coast in Tamil Nadu was damaged and rail link to Rameswaram was disrupted, as a barge towing a naval ship collided with it. The accident occurred after authorities failed to pull the barge and the ship into deep waters, port officials said. Photo: L. Balachandar

Six months after a major oil spill triggered by a collision of two ships off the Chennai coast caught officials of various agencies unaware and unprepared, the State government has notified the Tamil Nadu Maritime Board Port Regulations, 2017 which also frames procedures to be followed while vessels enter and exit minor ports and in case of mishaps.

The Tamil Nadu Maritime Board Port Regulations, 2017 notified by Tamil Nadu Maritime Board under Section 110 of the Tamil Nadu Maritime Board Act, 1995 provides for almost all possible cases for all minor ports across the State. The regulations have also prescribed the procedure to be followed by vessels for crossing the Pamban Bridge near Rameswaram.

Handling of petroleum

The regulations restrict the handling of petroleum products and chemicals such as Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), propylene and ammonia only to daylight hours, i.e. usually between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m.

“The entire operation is to be under the continuous supervision of a Marine Terminal Operation Contractor,” it states.

The LPG-laden vessel shall be anchored in a designated explosive dangerous anchorage only and a minimum distance of half a mile is to be maintained from all other ships. “The barges carrying LPG bullets shall keep a distance margin of at least 100 meters while moving under tug,” it adds.

All life-saving and fire-fighting appliances should be available at all times and a first aid station shall be maintained by the company at the site. “All pollution/ environmental clearances shall be obtained by the company and are to be produced to port authorities,” the regulations state.