Ships skip JNPT due to virus outbreak and scrubber retrofits

JAWAHARLAL Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) has reported that some mainline containerships as well as feeders are skipping calls at the facility on account of the coronavirus outbreak, as well as the effects of IMO 2020 removing vessels from service for scrubber retrofits to lower maritime fuel emissions.

Gateway Terminals India (GTI), one of the five terminals operating at JNPT, has reported four 'skips' already, reported Seatrade Maritime News, Colchester, UK.



'GTI has told us that some more vessels may skip the port in coming months as they undergo scrubber retrofits to comply with the rule on using low-sulphur fuel oil,' said JNPT chairman Sanjay Sethi.



These issues could hurt JNPT's ability to handle more containers in the financial year due to end on March 31 this year, than it did in fiscal 2018-19. The port handled 4.63 million TEU between April 2019 and February 2020, down from the 4.67 million TEU processed during the same period in FY2018-19. For the full FY19, JNPT handled 5.13 million TEU.


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