Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd is hoping to commission the SPM (single point mooring) system in New Mangalore Port limits by May 2012. The SPM, in the NMP area, is a facility in the sea that will help receive crude oil in very large crude carrier tankers.

Mr UK Basu MD of MRPL said that all the execution orders for SPM are in place. The work for the project will be started in November. He said that November to April is the lean season to work under the sea.

Mr Basu added that "All work orders are in place to start the work during that lean season, and to complete the work and commission as per the board approved date of May 2012.”

When told that there was some opposition from fishermen in the area on setting up SPM in the sea, he said the company has made a presentation to the representatives of fishermen on this.

He said that "This is not a new phenomenon in the India. A number of SPMs are already working all over the country. Actually, this is a sub-sea pipeline we are laying. It will not cause any problem with respect to fishing along the sea.”

(Sourced from Business Line)