Cargo vessels at Old Mlore port ground since Sep 15

Since last September 15, at least 55 cargo vessels that operate from Old Mangalore Port to Lakshadweep are idling. Failure on the part of the department of ports to carry out an annual inspection of vessels has meant they are berthed at the port, and not able to ply to Lakshadweep.

The bothered vessel owners are planning to block all operations at the port if things don’t change immediately. Harish Kava, vessel owner and a member of Old Mangalore Port Users’ Association, said the impasse is the result of the State government’s failure to appoint a competent person as port officer.