VASCO
The ship operator is likely to resume the container service at Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) provided the stakeholders assure good business and the MPT takes up the initiative to enhance its infrastructure to handle containers at the port.
The issue of resuming container business at MPT was discussed when representatives of industry associations, manufacturers and exporters convened a joint meeting with the representative of the ship operator on Monday morning.
During the three-hour meeting, the ship operator said plans are afoot to resume container service as long as there was good business and better infrastructure to handle containers at the port.
The ship operator’s representative, however, sought two days to get back after assessing the economics and viability to restart the container ship at Goa Port.
Shipping and logistics agent Rakesh Unni, who took a lead to organise the meeting, said the ship operator was willing to get their ship to Goa,
"MPT has already offered good discounts and concessions to operators willing to restart container operations in Goa. MPT has also expressed its willingness to get a crane from some other port and to go in for expression of interest to put a crane service at MPT.”
“Infrastructure is of paramount importance without which the question of having concessions and discounts to ship operators may have no meaning," said Unni.
He said all stakeholders have assured to support the business.
“The government has to impress upon pharmaceutical companies in Goa to use MPT, which is an environmentally friendly option as compared to road transport. While small exporters are dependent on Goa Port, big pharmaceutical companies in Goa use the JNPT port in Mumbai," said Unni.
Former Goa Barge Owners Association president Atul Jadhav said all stakeholders like Customs House agents and industry associations like GCCI and VIA had come together to meet the ship operator and assess the requirements of the ship operator.
“The ship operator is looking at 1,000 containers a week but we may not get to that level immediately. We have formed a group to get feedback from industries about their container figures, and their preferred ports of destination, so that we know how best we can get business for the port and resume container services," said Jadhav.
“At present, MPT has no effective infrastructure to clear container cargo in quick time. If we can source a Harbour Crane, ship owners may come to Goa and we will request the Government to intervene and request MPT to get their cranes activated immediately," Jadhav added.
An exporter, Arman Bankley, requested exporters in the State to use the MPT facility, instead of using other ports.
