There are 42 vessels waiting for berthing at the port of which 28 vessels are ready for docking having got all clearances and documentation done, it is learnt.

A top MRL source said that thanks to the offloading of 120,000 tonnes of crude from the tanker `Easwari' recently the stock position of crude throughput at the Manali refinery is comfortable and can last for another 7 days to 8 days.

The ongoing mooring crew strike had threatened the functioning of MRL's new refinery at Manali which had an annual capacity to process 3.7 million tonnes of crude per annum. MRL, at one stage had cut throughput to 60 per cent operating capacity level but with the new inflow of stocks, the refinery is operating `almost to full capacity', it is said.

The source said MRL convinced the Oil CoordinationCommittee to divert crude meant for the Cochin Refinery Ltd for offloading at the Chennai port and that is how the tanker Easwari could discharge its full cargo of 120,000 tonnes of crude.

Meanwhile, a CPT source disclosed that talks were on between the CPT management and the regional labour commissioner to find an amicable solution to the mooring crew strike problem. Workers, who, struck work (both mooring and marine crew) are expected to call off the strike soon, it is said.

Meanwhile, the CPT source said it may take at least three to four weeks of work to restore normalcy and clear the backlog of 42 vessels waiting for docking at the port, even if the strike is called off immediately.

As of Friday, there were a total of 42 vessels waiting for clearance. Of these private coal and TNEB coal-handling vessels were 7, 11 container vessels, five fertiliser vessels including two for raw sulphur, five general cargo vessels, and one each for palm oil, fuel oil, steam coal, granite block and barytes. Besidesnine oil vessels carrying crude and petroleum products were also awaiting clearance.