NMPT extends berthing facility for coastal cargo

To boost coastal shipping of cargo, New Mangalore Port Trust (NMPT) is providing several benefits to the users, according to its Chairman, PC Parida.

Addressing the members of Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) in Mangaluru on Monday, he said that the port has allowed priority berthing facility for the costal cargo ships. A berth has been earmarked for this purpose. With this, the ships carrying coastal cargo need not wait at the port for the berth.

In addition to this, the documentation related to coastal cargo has been streamlined, he said.

Highlighting one of the recent initiatives of NMPT to boost coastal shipping, he said the port has introduced Ro-Ro (roll-on roll-off) service between Mangaluru and Hazira.

Explaining the benefits of coastal cargo movement, Parida said it would bring down the congestion on the highways. This will lead to reduction in the number of accidents on roads and bring down the level of pollution.

The transport operators can save on fuel cost, and can reduce wear and tear of their vehicles. All these initiatives will lead to reduction in the cost of transportation. This in turn can be passed on to the end user, he said.

Aditya Suklikar, Executive Director of Link Shipping and Management System Pvt Ltd, said his company began the Ro-Ro service by sea from Mangaluru to Hazira recently.

He said the ship, which carries the Ro-Ro cargo, can accommodate 150 trucks and 210 cars. In the case of an all-car cargo, it can carry up to 600 cars.

He opined that the Ro-Ro service operators should have level-playing field vis-à-vis road and rail operators. This will help boost the coastal shipping in the country.

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