Port Trust to set up single-window clearance facility for bunkering

Aimed at promoting Kochi as a bunkering port, the Cochin Port Trust will set up a single-window clearance facility to help those engaged in the sale of bunkers to the ships. The port authorities have also decided to permit bunkering at night and to take steps to provide dedicated berths.

In 2010, the state government had reduced the VAT on the sale of fuel and lubricants to foreign vessels to 0.5 per cent. In September 2012, the government issued another notification that the benefit of reduced VAT will be available for the sale of bunkers either directly or through bunkering agents holding valid licence issued by the Director-General of Shipping.

Under the single-window clearance system, those who are engaged in the business can get clearances from the various departments of the Port Trust such as the traffic wing, fire division and the CISF.

“Payments can also be made through this facility. Permission from the terminal operator is required for bunkering at the International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT). All the  clearances can be obtained through this facility to be set up at the port operations office, at Q9 gate near the Ernakulam wharf. It will function round-the-clock,” the port authorities said. 

It has also been decided to permit bunkering at the Cochin Port at night and the port will facilitate the berthing of sufficient numbers of barges. However, during the monsoon, barges operating under the Merchant Shipping Act only will be permitted to supply bunkers at the outer anchorage or in the mid-sea.

According to the port authorities, there should be sufficient facility to ensure supply of bunkers to the barges at a pumping rate of at least 200 tonnes per hour.

“The Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited has been given the permission to put up a barge jetty, north of the North Tanker Berth, with a direct line from the refinery for the supply of bunkers. Similarly, the existing berth of the Indian Oil Corporation Limited at the Mattancherry wharf will be enabled to handle barges of up to 70 metres in length,” the authorities said.