New Mangalore Port Trust gets new LPG unloading facility

The Total Oil India Private Limited (TOIPL) commissioned its new LPG unloading facility at Berth No 13 of New Mangalore Port Trust (NMPT).  The facility was inaugurated by NMPT Chairman Padma Charan Parida in the presence of Total Oil India Chairman and MD Vijay Kumar Balakrishnan.

A release said “India currently imports almost 45 per cent of its LPG requirement with most importation facilities operating at full capacity. Demand is continuing to grow rapidly due to better availability of LPG which is increasingly becoming a preferred fuel by both domestic and industrial users due to its efficiency, economy and convenience. Mangalore port is the only LPG importation facility in the South Western Coast of India and Total’s new unloading facility would greatly enhance the import capabilities of LPG at NMPT.”

Speaking on the occasion, TOIPL CMD Vijay Kumar highlighted the urgency for augmenting LPG import capability to keep up with the burgeoning demand. The unloading arrangements put up by TOIPL on Very Large Gas Carrier (VLGC) capable berth number 13 would go a long way in easing LPG supplies to South India in a cost effective way.

Claude Le Damany explained that the state-of-the art on-line blending system with extremely versatile unloading arms meant that berth number 13 could handle LPG cargoes varying from 3000 MTs to 44,000 MTs. This would open up lot of shipping options for Total Oil India’s customers delivering real benefits and drive more traffic into NMPT, the preeminent port for LPG imports into South India.

NMPT Chairman P C Parida said that the port is upgrading fire fighting system at Berth No13 to handle VLGC. The Port has the capacity to handle around three million tons of LPG at present and the same could be increased to meet the market requirements in future.