Now, international vessels passing through Chennai Port need not go to Singapore or Colombo to refuel, as Chennai Port has been given permission to refuel the ships.
B Vimal, traffic manager, Chennai Port, said the port had started supplying bunker fuel and the first vessel was MT Jag Lakshita belonging to Great Eastern Shipping. The fuel was supplied by Indian Oil Corporation at Chennai Port anchorage. The shipping trade industry has been requesting authorities to permit bunkering of fuel to vessels from Chennai for the past couple of years. Chennai Port has taken up the issue with the Customs and Immigration Departments for a permit. The Chennai and Ennore Port Steamer Agents Association also had been vigorously trying to get the approval for the above operation. This comes at a time when Cyril C George took over as the new chairman of the port. George said the initiative was taken under the ease of doing business campaign and will benefit trade and the port as well.