Mr Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of State for Shipping (Independent Charge), has asked the recently formed Coastal Shipping Committee of the National Shipping Board (NSB) to examine the use of RoRo and/or Ro-pax vessels as one of the methods to effectively increase transportation of cargo and people along India’s coastline, informed a release.
The committee is headed by Mr Rahul Modi as Chairman.
The NSB, under the directions of its Chairperson, Dr Malini Shankar, has constituted various committees to look at specific issues relating to development of the maritime trade in India. One such committee is tasked with examining the development and usage of coastal shipping as well as inland waterways.
The committee noted that some earlier attempts have been made to try and commence such RoRo and Ro-pax services between two Indian ports. In fact, some of the members have first-hand knowledge in the provision of such services. However, earlier efforts to run profitable services have met with limited success. The committee decided that it would specifically ascertain and prepare a report on issues relating to operations of RoRo and/or Ro-pax services along the Indian coast.
It has invited suggestions, opinions, ideas, updates of hurdles faced or likely to be faced as well as called for identifying solutions, all of which would aid shipowners, cargo owners, ship operators, trucking companies, fleet operators and the general trade at large to be able to carry out the effective and efficient movement of cargo and passengers using RoRo and Ro-pax vessels.
Feedback may be sent by email to rorocomments@insa.org.in along with full name and contact details, the press release by Mr Rahul Modi added.
Source: EXIM INDIA
