Mangalore, Dec 30, 2013 : The union petroleum and natural gas minister Veerappa Moily dedicated the newly-laid petroleum oil and lubricant (POL) berth number 13 at New Mangalore Port Trust (NMPT) here on Sunday December 29 at 4.00pm.

The minister Moily also laid the foundation in order to construct berth number 18 for container and bulk cargo at NMPT during a function held at Cruise Lounge Hall, here.

 NMPT chairman Dr P Tamilvanan welcomed the dignitaries and the gathering on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Tamilvanan lauded the support of minister Moily in developing infrastructure facilities at NMPT. He also felicitated minister Moily along with other dignitaries.

NMPT deputy chairman T S N Murthy said that he was very happy at the commissioning of a new berth. He further said, ‘NMPT is doing well, while the new berth will enable NMPT to scale greater heights in the nearest future,’ said Murthy.

The minister Moily said, ‘Today is a special day for us. NMPT is already a all-weather port among a few in India. One should aim higher to come up in life. India has ample opportunities provided one thinks big in making our country prosperous with proper plans in place,’ said minister Moily.

‘With the able leadership of NMPT chairman Dr Tamilvanan in the 9 years, NMPT has contributed immensely for the country and to the people,’ said minister Moily.

NMPT constructed POL berth number 13, to cater to the enhanced demand of potential users. The estimated cost of the berth was Rs 73.17 crore. Mumbai-based DBM Geo-Technics and Construction Private Limited was awarded the contract on December 9 2010, at an agreed cost of Rs 54.58 crore. The work on the jetty commenced on February 2 2011, and completed on February 25 2013, at a cost of Rs 51.69 crore. The berth has been constructed on 341 piles varying in depths from 25 meters to 50 meters. Two flexible dolphins have been constructed to cater to ships of smaller parcel size of 140 meter length over all (LOA). The overall length of the berth is 350 meter.

This POL berth can cater to vessels of size 1,25,000 dead weight (DWT) and of 280 meters LOA. The depth of the berth is 15.1 meters with provision of 17 meters. The berth has the capacity of handling cargo to the tune of 57.8 million tons per annum.

Berth number 18 is designed for a vessel size of 1,25,000 DWT with a maximum LOA 280 meters, beam 42 meters and depth of 15.1 meters. The length of the berth is 325 meters and the width 25 meters.

The berth will be constructed on 220 piles. A total of 18 super cell fenders will be provided to the berth. The berth structure will be designed to a design depth of 17 meters considering vessels having displacement up to 1,50,000 tons.

The total estimated cost of the project is Rs 137.44 crore. The estimated cost of construction of the berth (civil works) is Rs 102.67 crore. The work has been again awarded to DBM Geotechnics and Construction Private Limited, at an agreed cost of Rs 93.62 crore.

The state forests and Dakshina Kannada (DK) district-in-charge minister B Ramanath Rai, Mangalore south MLA J R Lobo, DK Deputy Commissioner A B Ibrahim, and union ministry of shipping director Tarun Kumar Jajoria and others were present on the occasion.

Courtesy:BelleVision