VIKRAM NAYAK
VASCO
In a significant development, operations at the Zuari Agro Chemicals Ltd are likely to begin some time soon after a gap of a few months, after two tankers were seen transporting phosphoric acid towards the ZACL factory on Tuesday night.
The movement of tankers carrying phosphoric acid indicates that raw materials are arriving into Goa and that, ZACL, which was recently in the news after shutting down operations on account of financial and other factors, is expected to resume operations.
The sight of the tankers took many by surprise in Vasco as many people had feared that Goa’s iconic plant -- which transformed the area and livelihood of thousands of people for several decades -- may not be operational again.
Confirming the developments, sources at Mormugao Port Trust said a tanker ‘Horin Trader’ had arrived in the port carrying the phosphoric acid for ZACL.
“This is indeed great news for the port as well because ZACL was one of the main parties to import phosphoric
acid, liquid ammonia and Muriate of Phosphate (MOP).”
“There used to be ships arriving regularly for ZACL until a few months ago and most ships stopped arriving in the port for ZACL consignments. We are indeed happy that ships have now started to come in the MPT for the ZACL. We have heard that ships carrying not only phosphoric acid but liquid ammonia as well are expected to come to the port to deliver consignments for ZACL,” said the source.
When contacted, a source at ZACL said plans were afoot to start at least one plant initially.
“Yes we did receive a consignment for phosphoric acid and it has made us all joyous that the company is now getting the required raw materials. We have been told that one plant will be operational soon.”
“We have got two new tankers at present and we will get two more tankers soon for phosphoric acid. Our ammonia tankers will soon be seen on roads as a ship is expected in the port bringing in liquid ammonia from Qatar,” said the source.
It may be recalled that on October 25, The Goan had carried a report stating that ZACL had shut down production since July end. The management had later said the company had faced financial crisis due to high raw materials cost along with a rise of dollar exchange rates and a drought in Maharashtra.
The management had also said subsidies from the central government were delayed and these factors had led the ZACL to go into a financial crisis and to temporarily shut down operations, which had sparked off concerns among hundreds of workers of ZACL.
