The Hindu Business Line : MCC to start Haldia-Singapore bi-weekly services from mid-July

SINGAPORE-BASED MCC Transport proposes to start bi-weekly services between Singapore/Port of Tanjung Pelepas (Malaysia) and Haldia from mid-July. The two vessels identified for the services — MCC Clipper and MCC Confidence, with a capacity of 540 TEUs each — however, will not call at Kolkata Dock System, it is learnt.

Inquiries with Haldia dock reveal that the shipping line has indicated its desire to offer sailings twice a week, every Saturday and Monday. It has also asked for fixed window facility — guaranteed berthing facility for its ships on these two days, even if there are other vessels waiting in the queue. The shipping line, the dock sources inform, will bring in gearless vessels once the dock authorities have installed the rail mounted quay cranes (RMQCs).

It might be noted that two RMQCs, supplied by McNally Bharat at an estimated cost of Rs 40 crore, are being installed in berths 10 and 11 of Haldia dock. They are likely to be ready for operation in August. The acquisition of four rubber tyred gantries (RTGs), costing Rs 6 crore each, would be complete by January next year.

The dock sources, however, are non-committal about extending fixed window facility to MCC Transport vessels immediately. "Much will depend on how strong the shipping line's commitment is in regard to guaranteed number of sailings and guaranteed volume of throughput," the sources say. The dock authorities have become wiser from an earlier experience when a foreign line insisted on a similar fixed window facility promising regular services and certain minimum guaranteed throughput, only to go back on its promises.

Singapore-headquartered MCC Transport employs nearly 200 employees throughout Asia and has a fleet of 20 vessels deployed to cater to intra-Asia trade. It has sales, marketing, operations and overall management responsibilities for two of Asian shipping companies, APM-Saigon Shipping and Anchor Transport Corporation.

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