the goan I network
VASCO
Goa Barge Owners Association President, Raymond D’Sa on Friday said that around 60-odd loaded barges are anchored out at sea awaiting to be discharged and claimed it to be a risky and financially unviable affair to have loaded barges stationary out at sea.
In a recent order, with the mining ban in force, the High Court stopped all transportation of ore and many barges loaded with ore were halfway to discharge their cargo to a few ships lined up to receive the cargo at the port. MPT had also appealed for a relief in the HC and had requested to permit discharge of iron ore cargo to the ships that were in waiting in MPT waters but the same was again rejected by the court forcing several barges carrying the cargo to remain idle till further instructions.
Speaking to the media, D’Sa said though they respect the High Court order they fear that the barges could be damaged in rough weather and questioned who would be responsibility for the same. “We respect the HC order but fear that our barges could be damaged in rough weather and who would be responsibility for the same. The ore we are transporting is legal ore and the permission has been given by the DMG to transport the same. Unlike earlier occasions, there is a system in the government now where a log sheet or a trip sheet opens whenever our barges are loaded and closed after loading before which we cannot sail and the cargo is not considered legal,” he said.
D’Sa further said, “Last time round, the Supreme Court in its order had allowed the ships to be loaded with cargo and accordingly mining was to be closed, but this time the loaded barges are halfway and status quo has been awarded, which means the barges are supposed to remain stationary wherever they are with loaded cargo.”
D’Sa also said, “There are around 55 to 60 barges at present stationary and it is a very big risk because we do not know when the court will come out with the order to discharge the cargo. The weather is bad in April and when two barges are along side each other in rough weather, there could be incidents thus posing risks to the barges. There is lot of pressure on barge owners as we would be helpless if anything goes wrong in the waters.”
D’Sa also said it was the failure on part of the government to appeal in court and that having a barge stationary was financially an unviable affair.
“It was the duty of the government to appeal to the court to allow the loaded barges at least to discharge the cargo. With the ensuing monsoon, water can enter the barges thus increasing our overheads since the barges are loaded and also with the crew onboard. Besides, till the barges are discharged, pumps and engines will be running continuously thus increasing the losses,” said D’Sa.
