By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhunbaneswar, September 19, 2015 : Cargo loading and unloading work at the port began on Saturday with Seaways Shipping & Logistics Pvt Ltd (SSLL), an Andhra Pradesh based stevedoring firm, carrying out unloading of hard coking coal from a JSPL vessel named MV HARM that had berthed at the port since last Wednesday.

However, the stand-off between the Paradip Port Trust (PPT) authorities and Paradip Port Stevedores’ Association [PPSA] and other organisations continues.

Odisha Chief Secretary G C Pati on Saturday landed at PPT to hold talks with the contending parties in a bid to find a way out of the stalemate. Pati, who held discussions with PPT chairman-in-charge M T Krishna Babu, asked the district administration to maintain law and order, sources said.

Earlier in the day, SSLL entered the port premises with 25 dumpers hired from outside to begin unloading of coal from the vessel MV HARM berthed at CQ-1 berth of the port amid heavy security arrangements. A total of 22 platoons of policemen and CISF personnel have been deployed at the port premises to avert any untoward incident.

Nevertheless, the Dumper Owners’ Association and Paradeep Port Stevedores’ Association continued their stir protesting against the alleged arbitrary decision of PPT chairman-in-charge M T Krishna Babu to allow stevedoring work to SSPL, which they allege is against the principles earlier agreed to.

The district administration made efforts on Friday to end the deadlock, but there was no breakthrough with the organizations threatening to further intensify their stir.

Trouble in the port started after SSPL was given the existing cargo handling work of Sahara Engineering, a member of the PPSA. A vessel MV HARM loaded with 86,000 tonnes of hard coking coal berthed at the port on Wednesday and the stevedoring and transportation work was handed to the SSLL.

The PPSA opposed the move stating that it was in gross violation of a collective decision taken at a meeting presided over by the District Collector on August 14. It argues that it had been decided at the meeting that all stakeholders will meet for an amicable solution before the arrival of the next vessel to be handled by SSLL.

The PPSA and SSLL are at loggerheads over the latter’s membership in Carrying and Forwarding Association. The matter is sub judice in the High Court. The PPSA has demanded withdrawal of the case for membership of Carrying and Forwarding Association.

Port chairman Krishna Babu, however, has said that all stevedores, whether members of the association or not, can operate in a national port. There is no law to prevent a licensed stevedore from operating. The association is only an informal arrangement and has no recognition.