First crew change conducted at Vizhinjam International Port

Vizhinjam: For the first time, a crew change has been carried out at Vizhinjam International Port, following permission from the Bureau of Immigration. Crew change involves swapping out crew members who have completed their shift from a ship at sea with new personnel who come on board to replace them.

The SS Split Barge 5, which is involved in dredging operations for the Adani Port Company, had its crew rotated at the port. The existing crew was brought to shore, and new crew members were transferred to the barge.

The approval from the Bureau of Immigration is necessary for such operations, even for Indian ships. The crew change was conducted based on an application submitted by Ajit Prasad (Managing Director) and Vishnu Prasad (Director) of Sathyam Shipping and Logistics Private Limited to the FRRO (Foreigners Regional registration Officer) in Thiruvananthapuram.

FRRO Aravind Menon confirmed that Coastal Run Vessels (Indian vessels) are now permitted for crew changes at Adani Port, which is a Customs Notified Port. The barge, carrying 12 crew members, had eight men disembark under the supervision of Captain Tushar Kinikar, Head of Marine. In their place, five new crew members boarded the barge.