With excessive need for oxygen and related equipment in the country, the Government of India has directed all Major Ports, including the Kamarajar Port Limited, to waive-off all charges levied by major port Trusts (including vessel related charges, storage charges, among others) and prioritise such cargo handling.
These are ports under the Centre. It has also asked to accord highest priority in the berthing sequence to the vessels carrying consignments of Medical Grade Oxygen, Oxygen Tanks, Oxygen Bottles, Portable Oxygen Generators, Oxygen Concentrators, Steel Pipes for manufacturing Oxygen Cylinders and associated equipment for the next three months, or until further orders, said a Shipping Ministry statement.
Port Chairpersons have been asked to personally supervise logistic operations to ensure unhindered movement of such consignments for berthing such vessel on top priority in the port, unloading of oxygen related cargo, coordination with Customs and other authorities for speedy clearance or documentation and expeditious evacuation of oxygen related cargo from port.
In case the vessel is carrying other cargo or container in addition to oxygen related cargo, waiver of charges on pro-rata basis (considering the overall cargo or containers handled at port) should be provided for oxygen related cargo to such vessels, it said
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways will monitor the details of such vessels, cargo and time taken in the port from the time vessel entered in the port limits to exit of cargo from port gate, it added.
The Government of India, which is handling the crisis related to the second wave of Covid-19 in the country, is taking all steps to counter the situation through appropriate and innovative measures, statement added.
Source: Business Line
