Chennai port sails into history with 333m vessel

VLCC MT New Diamond at BD 3, which was received by Union Minister for Shipping and Finance Pon Radhakrishnan on Friday, is the largest ship till date to call Chennai Port.

The vessel, which is 333 metres long and 60 metres wide at its beam and had summer DWT of 2,99,986 tons and a maximum draft of 21.23 metres, is owned by Porto Emporios Shipping Inc and is under the command of Captain Nikitas Vasileios, a Greek National, who is accompanied by a crew of 24 sailors.

A fully-laden VLCC can discharge the required cargo at Paradip and the remaining can be discharged at the Port of Chennai. This will result in a considerable saving in terms of freight paid for chartering multiple vessels by IOCL-CPCL.

The VLCC called on the port after a year-long effort that involved a thorough technical stimulation study, training of pilots and chartering of higher capacity specialised tugs (hired from Kamarajar Port). 

Moreover, a thorough risk analysis was carried out with respect to safety, oil spill emergency and fire hazard. The ship was manoeuvred under the pilotage team led by the Harbour Master with two Dock Masters and a Pilot. 

After receiving the vessel, Union Minister Radhakrishnan also inaugurated a Road Sweeping Machine of BS-IV norms, under the Green Port initiative, in order to suppress the dust emanating from Roads and Wharfs.

The machine, worth Rs 44 lakh, is capable of cleaning a maximum width of 2,900 mm at a time with an operating speed of 5 to 10 kilometre per hour. A special feature sprinkler system is provided at the rear end of the vehicle to suppress dust emanating due to sweeping operation.