Chennai Port Trust is to undertake a six-month trial in the handling of metallurgical and petroleum coke in an attempt to make up for the loss of dusty cargo, such as coal and iron ore. The trial is to be undertaken with stringent environmental measures in place, while the Tamil Nadu Pollution Board is also being kept informed.
Since 1990, Chennai has handled the various types of coal, peaking in 2008/09, when it handled 9.85mt of mostly thermal coal bound for power stations. Unlike other types of coal, metallurgical coke is denser and harder and does not break down and generate dust when it handled.
BC