HDC (Haldia Dock Complex), SMP (Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port), Kolkata took a pioneering initiative to explore Ship-to-Ship Transfer (STS) Operations of LPG within its limits to handle fully laden vessels and requested customs authorities to allow such operations. 

 

As a result of this pioneering initiative, the first ever STS Operations of LPG in Indian Coast was undertaken by BPCL on 15th October, 2021. BPCL engaged service provider Fendercare Marine to render the services at the offshore STS location. Fendercare Marine Omega, a renowned company in STS operation of Liquid Cargo is providing the logistics support. Tug for berthing the vessel at STS site and towing/placing of large size Yokohama fenders is being provided by SMP Kolkata. 

 

The Mother vessel MT YUSHAN with a parcel load of 44,551 MT cargo carried out STS operation with Daughter Vessel MT HAMPSHIRE at Sandheads. The cargo operation commenced at 12:48 hours on 15.10.2021 and completed at 06:06 hours on 16.10.2021. Thus, within a short span of around 17:00 hours a quantity of 23,051 MT of cargo was transferred to the daughter vessel. 

 

The STS Operation for BPCL was earlier done at Male and by doing STS Operation at HDC, BPCL will save valuable foreign exchange. This operation at HDC reduces the time taken for a daughter vessel by 7-9 days from BPCL’s other location for STS operations which consequently entailing savings of around US $3,50,000 per voyage on account of BPCL. 

 

The instant STS operations are expected to open new business potential not only for the country’s oldest riverine major port but also benefit the trade and country as a whole in terms of saving substantial foreign exchange. Thus the STS operation at SMP, Kolkata is likely to emerge as a game changer in the overall economics in handling imported LPG in the Indian Coast.