India’s Deendayal Port Carries Out First-Ever Triple Banking Ship-to-Ship Operation

Deendayal Port Authority has carried out its first triple banking ship-to-ship (STS) operation at Kandla, handling a complex cargo transfer between three vessels at sea.

The port shared the update on X, calling it a historic operation completed with high precision at a strong tidal location.

In this operation, a Capesize vessel discharged 1,17,000 tons of cargo to a transshipment vessel.

After that, a tandem transfer of 77,000 tons was carried out to a Panamax vessel. The port said the entire process was completed smoothly despite challenging tidal conditions.

Earlier on March 13, the port authority had said it was preparing to handle a sharp rise in traffic. It expected to manage 22 vessels within 72 hours and stated that systems were in place to handle the increased arrivals and adjust to reconfigured voyages while maintaining service standards.

One of the vessels expected at the port is the Thai-flagged Mayuree Naree, which had come under attack in the Strait of Hormuz on March 11. Several other incoming ships are likely to be carrying crude oil to India.

At the same time, a Liberia-flagged tanker, Shenlong Suezmax, reached Mumbai Port carrying Saudi crude. It became the first India-bound vessel to pass through the Strait of Hormuz after tensions began between Iran and the United States.

The tanker had loaded crude from Ras Tanura in Saudi Arabia on March 1 and sailed on March 3.

Tracking data showed the vessel was in the Strait of Hormuz on March 8 before it went off tracking systems for some time. It later reappeared on March 9.

Per reports, the ship had switched off its Automatic Identification System (AIS) while passing through the high-risk area.

AIS is a required system that shares a ship’s identity, position, speed, and route with nearby vessels and coastal authorities to avoid accidents and help with navigation.

Reference: ANI News