The Goan: Tell us about your Mormugao Ships’ AgentsAssociation.
Manu Thakker: The association was established in 1950 underthe Portuguese rule and had 10 members initially. As of now, we have 50 membersand every year two or three new ships’ agents get registered with us. We havearound 80 percent overseas clientele (200 clients). More international playersare now opening their offices in Goa and getting registered with us to work asships’ agents. But with the ban on mining, we fear, this 70 year-oldassociation may go extinct.
TG: What is the loss incurred due to the halt in the mining operations?
MT: In 2010-11 Goa region handled 1200 vessels and paid Rs180 crore as Port’s charges/payment. Looking at the current trend it isexpected that Goa region will handle only 400 vessels in 2012-13. We havehandled 354 vessels carrying mixed cargo (mineral ore, coal & coke, naphthaand fertilisers etc) from March to November this year and paid revenue of Rs 53crore to the exchequer. Our 75-80 percent cargo is of mineral ore and sincethere could be no more ore to export, this year the revenue is bound to godown. We may handle 45-50 vessels more from October 2012 to March 2013,generating Rs 7 crore more. The total revenue in this fiscal year would be Rs 60crore instead of Rs 180 crore.
TG: What is the biggest worry?
MT: The long term impact. More than current losses that weare incurring, the future losses would be more. The pattern of trade willchange from now on. Out of 1200 vessels per year, our 800 vessels are gone andthey may go forever.
I’ll tell you how “ we would lose contacts with theseclients if the ban continues for a long time and even if the ban is lifted, theclients may not come back to us. The sea route will change and that would be apermanent loss to Goa.
We worry that the Mormugao agents and other related peoplewould be permanently detached from the maritime map of India. We may exist nomore!
TG: What will happen if the mining ban continues in Goa?
MT: Iron ore is going to stay, it cannot shift from the Goansoil, but the focus of business will shift internationally. Ore from countrieslike Brazil, Australia, South Africa, Canada, Peru, Chilly and Scandinavia willbe in demand. Goa would be wiped out from the iron and mineral ore map.
TG: Comment on the future of Goa as a port.
MT: It is not easy for Goa to become a multi-commodity portover night because we have a small geographical area and most of the cargoeshave to come from other states.
