RND in final stages of completing RoRo ferries service launch next month

The river navigation department (RND) is in the final stages of completing its new RoRo (roll-on/roll-off) ferries, with a focus on enhancing passenger safety. These ferries are slated to begin operations next month.

The final outfitting and installing additional safety railings for passengers for one of the two RoRo ferries was lowered at the Loutolim shipyard after completing painting works. Now, all the alignment and engine work, propeller shaft fitting, among others, will be taken up on the vessel. Subsequently, the ferry will undergo trials from May 15, according to RND sources.

The building of these two ferries was commissioned by the RND on a build-and-operate basis. While the RND gave a deadline of May 1 for the completion of both ferries to the shipbuilder, their launch may be further delayed.

The shipbuilding process encountered a hitch following a series of hurdles faced by the RND and the shipbuilders. In Feb, the shipment of the propulsion systems for the ferries, sourced from Austria, was stuck at the Mumbai port, resulting in a delay in reaching Goa. This deck-mounted propulsion technology is being introduced for the first time in Goa’s River navigation system and will revolutionise the efficiency of ferry operations.

Earlier this month, the shipbuilding process encountered a hitch when operational issues arose due to the positioning of the two vessels on the construction site. To resolve the situation, the shipyard decided to lower the second, still-incomplete vessel into the water first. Days later, the first vessel was lowered, after which the second ferry was lifted back out of the water to complete the finishing processes.