07/11/2007 (PTI), Kochi - The Kerala High Court has stayed a notification issued by the Director General of Foreign Trade banning import of palm oil through Kochi port.

The stay order was issued recently by Justice S Sirijagan while admitting two petitions filed by Kozhikode-based Parrysons Foods Managing Director, N K Muhammed Ali and Mumbai's Liberty Oil mills.

The petitioners had challenged the October 16 notification as per which palm oil cannot be imported through the Kochi port from October 16 to December 31.

According to Cochin Port Trust sources, two tanker vessels carrying around 16,000 tonnes of refined and crude palm oil are expected to reach the port in the coming weeks.