The newly elected committee of the Goa Barge Owners’ Association.
VASCO
The Goa Barge Owners’ Association (GBOA) has constituted a new managing committee for the 2025–26 term during its Extraordinary General Body Meeting held on April 26. The newly elected committee officially took charge on Friday.
The new office bearers include Chandrakant Gawas (President), Derrick Vales (Vice President), Alex Coutinho (General Secretary), and Mahendra (Mayur) Parsekar (Treasurer). Rahul Naik, Priyesh Kamat, and Rohit Parab have been inducted as committee members. The association expressed optimism about the revival of mining activities in the state, which has historically served as the backbone of the Goan barge industry.
GBOA President Chandrakant Gawas said the resumption of mining could bring fresh employment and economic opportunities for barge operators and other stakeholders. “I am also chairman of the Industry and Logistics Committee of the Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry. We have met with the Mormugao Port Authority and the Shipping Minister, and plan to make formal representations to encourage new cargo movement while safeguarding the interests of barge owners,” Gawas said.
He added that the GBOA is ready to assert its rights if berths 10 and 11 at Mormugao Port are leased out to entities that might engage outsider barges. “Bauxite or any other cargo entering the port will need barges, and we are prepared to take up that business. We have also requested the MPA not to outsource berth 9, and instead dedicate it to iron ore cargo. This berth could become ideal if mining resumes, especially with the potential to reach 20 million tonnes,” he said.
Gawas further stated that barge operators are open to transporting a variety of cargo, including coal, bauxite, iron ore, and even wood chips. He urged the government to restart mining activities at the earliest.
“The government has always supported barge owners, and we appeal to them to push for the resumption of iron ore operations. Currently, we have 38 existing barges—22 of which are operating, while the rest are under repair. Some have moved out of Goa due to lack of employment. If iron ore trade reaches around 20 million tonnes, we’ll need more barges, and those that left will return. We request the government to frame a strong dumps policy to ensure sustainable mining,” he said.
The GBOA reaffirmed its commitment to working in close coordination with government authorities and other stakeholders to enable the sustainable revival of mining and the smooth functioning of Goa’s maritime logistics sector.
