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Santanu Sanyal

Kolkata, Sept. 25 Twenty-two international companies have responded to Paradip Port Trust’s initial inquiry to identify firms suitable for removing furnace oil stored in the tanks of the sunken vessel Black Rose.

“The firms are from Europe, Singapore, Malaysia and Dubai,” a spokesman for the port trust told Business Line.

“How many of them will eventually respond to the global tender that will be floated in this regard is not clear yet.”

As a Government organisation, Paradip Port Trust (PPT) cannot select a company on a nomination basis, he said.

The spokesman said that October 6 is the last date for submission of the bids for the global tender.

“We will complete the selection formalities as quickly as possible so that the contract could be awarded at the earliest.”

Inquiries revealed that the mobilisation work would take some time and another three weeks or so would be needed for removing the oil.

“We’re not planning removal of the ship’s wreck right now,” said the spokesperson.

Given a choice, Paradip Port Trust perhaps would like to select someone nearer home, i.e., Singapore, Malaysia or even Dubai.

“Any European firm will take much longer time to mobilise because of the distance and therefore will charge much more,” he added.

Meanwhile, a team of experts from IndiaOil’s R&D division will be visiting Paradip shortly.

The division, it is learnt, has developed bacteria that can eat any floating oil.

The PPT spokesman said the flow of whatever little oil was left in the ship’s engine room had ebbed.

Members of the Capt. P.V.K. Mohan’s Committee will visit Paradip on Saturday to study the iron ore handling facilities, including the types of vessels calling at the port.

The committee has been constituted by the Shipping Ministry under Capt Mohan, Chairman of National Shipping Board, as several accidents involving iron ore ships flying foreign flags were occurring in Indian ports.

More Stories on : Shipping/Ports | Petroleum

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