Numaligarh Refinery moves petro products through river barges
By Our Corporate Bureau | 12 Jul 2005
Kolkata: Numaligarh Refinery Ltd in Assam has started moving petroleum products by a river route that passes through Bangladesh. The first consignment of 1,450 tonnes of diesel transported by a barge arrived a few days ago at the Budge Budge oil jetty of the Kolkata Dock System.
Vivada, the local barge operator, transported the consignment from Silghat on the bank of the Brahamaputra River to Budge Budge. Silghat is about 100 km from the refinery and the distance was covered by road. The maiden voyage was without a hitch.
Vivada, according to sources, has taken on charter two of CIWTC barges, "Naharkatiya" (1,800-tonne capacity) and "Barauni" (1,200 tonnes). Once the two vessels start operation on regular basis, it should be possible to offer two sailings a month totalling 3,000 tonnes.
The turnaround time of the first voyage by Vivada was 42 days. Vivada wants to bring it down to a month or so. A faster turnaround time will ensure movement of a larger volume.
