The Maritime Association of Nationwide Shipping Agencies (MANSA), formerly called Mumbai and Nhava-Sheva Ship Agents’ Association, has asked for expeditious repairs to the of Western Leaf Inner Lock Gate at Mumbai Port since the inner docks became tidal, making it difficult to berth vessels with deep draughts of more than seven metres during the monsoon.
In a letter addressed to the chairman of Mumbai Port Trust, MANSA said, “Though recently the inner basin circle was dredged and deepened to eight metres, the depth will reduce once again due to the exposure of the basin to the tides … As the inner Lock Gate remains open throughout, the siltation recurs and the depths would degenerate speedily causing mud accumulation under water. This situation is likely to cause tremendous pressure for berthing vessels at the Harbour Wall and BPS / BPX berths during forthcoming monsoon.”
MANSA has also requested for relaxations in berthing of vessels at Offshore Container Terminal 1 & 2 in case of delay in repairs and restoration.
The association has pointed out that the salvage department failed to carry out the repairs of the fault in underwater roller path of the Lock Gate and the job remained pending for more than a year or so. “The planned repairs contract was in process for several days and there is no prospect to award the contract any time in near future,” the letter said.
‘Undoubtedly, we expect there will be abnormal delay causing mounting pressure on the deep draught berths in the outer docks in due course that will lead to increase in turnaround time of the vessels,” the MANSA letter said.
To address this situation, MANSA has appealed the chairman to intervene and take immediate action.