New Delhi, Apr 18 (FN Bureau) In the backdrop of severe Coal crisis due to the ongoing strike at Adani Gangavaram Port Limited (AGPL), Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL) – Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (VSP), has embarked on a relentless mission to secure the crucial raw material of coal, which is essential for its safe and sustained operations. To overcome from severe Coal crises arising due to the agitation by workers at Adani Gangavaram Port Limited since April 12, 2O24, the Steel plant finding alternate ways/solution to ensure safe operations at the plant including calling Global tender for emergency procurement of 1,50,000 tons of Coal; diversion of 2 ships to Vizag Port to ensure raw material security with the able support of Visakhapatnam Port Authority (VPA and A commodity loan of 50, 000 tons of Coal from alternate Ports.
The recent agitation by workers at the port has totally disrupted coal supply, posing a formidable challenge to RINL’s production, the plant said in a release here. However, undeterred by the obstacles, RINL’s management has launched a comprehensive strategy to mitigate the impact of the disruptions and uphold operational continuity. RINL is heavily reliant on AGPL’s services for handling imported raw materials, including coking coal and limestone, vital for its production processes. Adding to the urgency, there are two vessels carrying a total of around 1,50,000 tons which arrived at AGPL are awaiting berthing instructions. The materials on board these vessels are urgently required at the RINL Plant to maintain production continuity. Any further delay in berthing of the vessel and transfer of the cargo will further jeopardize the production at RINL bringing the units to a grinding halt.
In view of the extreme criticality of the situation, RINL has sought the help of the District administration to restore operations at AGPL without delay to ensure safe and sustained operations/production at RINL and also to help RINL in shifting around 2.2 lakh tons of Coal which is already in AGPL. The district administration has responded positively to RINL’s request and in engaging with the stakeholder for restoration of operation/transfer of Coking Coal from AGPL to RINL. “Safeguarding the uninterrupted flow of raw materials is paramount to RINL’s operational integrity,” remarked RINN Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) Atul Bhatt. “In light of the disruptions at the Port, we have intensified our efforts to explore alternative avenues and secure the much-needed coal,” he said. “We understand the critical importance of coal supply to our operations and remain fully committed to ensuring the safety of our critical equipment,” affirmed Atul Bhatt. “The resilience and determination of RINL’s workforce are evident in our steadfast pursuit of solutions to overcome this challenging situation,” he said. “I am sure that with the initiatives, RINL is poised to rebound to a state of normalcy swiftly”, he added. Atul Bhatt, conveyed immense gratitude to the Union Steel Minister, Steel Ministry officials, the Visakhapatnam District Collector, the Commissioner of Police, and the Visakhapatnam Police for their unwavering guidance and steadfast support in resolving the coal crisis of RINL.