In 2010 - we were empanelled as Port Captains by Oldendorff Carriers (Mumbai & S’pore offices) & to date have covered about 400K mt for them.
On their account, we have handled a variety of cargoes – mainly steel/s and dry bulk, around the Indian coast – both at Anchorage and Alongside.
The steel/s have been all loaded cargoes & have included Coils, Plates, Slabs, Pipes & others such as various Structural/s. Their dry-bulk cargoes have included – Coal, Grain & Granite blocks.
Our other clients for Port Captaincy assignments have been for - BBC Chartering (Leer) / Kuwait out (project cargoes - Korean Army returns from Iraq), Sealift Inc (NewYork) – WCAfrica & Bangladesh in (USAID cargoes) & CTC (Dubai) to WCIndia (Bulk Gypsum) .

Our jobs as P/Captains has required us to - prepare and review Stowage Plans to maximize intake. Liaise & co-ordinate with several local & overseas Maritime Authorities & Agencies, local Marine Service providers such Stevedores, Shippers, Receivers, Barge & Truck operators - to optimize and expedite cargo operation/s. Sometimes even to negotiate add-on rates, port costs & matters of ‘goodwill’.
We have collected information on movement of Traditional & New Cargoes, Existing & Upcoming Port Facilities plus other relevant information in the ports that we have served - for onward passing to our clients’ chartering / operation / research & projects team/s.

Using our experience as Port Captains we were contracted to M/s SESA-Goa’s chartered vessel (Iron Monger 6).
This vessel - post loading her consignment of 90k mt of I.O Fines at Goa-Port Anchorage, failed her TML tests & her subsequent outward departure from that Port - was cancelled!

We were brought in to monitor a Hold by Hold - TML Tests.
As each Hold was tested – we then had to supervise the (re) discharge of each ‘failed test’ Hold, taking into account – SF & BM Stresses, Discharge Sequences & barge movement/s.

Our brief was to liaise with the Chinese Ship Crew, European PandI underwriters, Indian Shore Staff & ensure that with courtesy, firmness & due diligence - the re-tests were carried out according to the BC Code & GoI Carriage of Bulk Cargo Guidelines.







Audit of cargo operations

This was a particularly satisfying assignment which was carried out (again) for M/s Sesa-Goa at Goa-Port.
My brief was to audit the performance of their (Iron Ore) loading Trans-Shipper operations - right from the barge loading point about 45klicks upriver, then sail with the barge downriver to Goa-Port anchorage, where I transferred to their Trans-Shipper ‘Priyamvada’.
I then had to observe the operations of this Trans-Shipper during her loading of the export vessel/s. Our contract was to observe a total loading program of - 200,000mtons. On completion, we presented to them our findings & recommendation/s (in hard copy).
I understand that our report revealed to them, that they could put into effect over 70% of our recommendations – without the expense of even ‘one rupee’, simply by going back to their own SOPs. Over the years these had gone bad /got corrupted / made redundant - by their own employees, who had ‘evolved’ their own work practices to cater to a self-interest / comfort zone.

In all to date - we have covered a mixed bag of over 850,000 tonnes as P/Captains!