Date:23/03/2006 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2006/03/23/stories/2006032301800500.htm

Back Kochi port gives clean chit to Pak vessel

Our Bureau

Kochi , March 22

The container feeder vessel SAF Marine Pakistan, which was detained at Kochi Port for nearly a month by the Coast Guard on various charges, sailed out on Wednesday morning after finding that there was no suspicious cargo inside the vessel.

However, four of the crew members were still in police custody here for further inquiry on charges of disembarking in an uninhabited island of Suhaili in Lakshadweep without permission during its voyage from Salalah to Tuticorin. The name Pakistan in the vessel had created panic in the islands and the local fishermen informed the police.

The crew had pleaded innocence and informed the police that they were drawn by the beauty of the coral islands.

Nothing suspicious

The vessel was later taken to Kochi Port for inspection of containers by the Kochi Customs as per the directions from Intelligence Bureau and RAW.

About 900 TEUs meant for various consignees in other ports were discharged here and examined by the Customs. However, the inspection revealed that there was no suspicious cargo.

Some of the importers, in the meantime, had moved their boxes on their own way to different destinations after the inspection.

Sources in the port pointed out that the vessel had to pay nearly Rs1 crore to the port by way of berth hire and another Rs 50 lakh as container handling charges.

The vessel sailed out from the port with 60 TEUs of cargo in 36 containers, sources said.