Major steps to promote coastal shipping on anvil

New Delhi, Apr 3 (UNI) The Government would promote coastal shipping as a cost-effective, fuel-efficient and environment friendly mode of transport through a mix of policy measures and financial incentives.

Union Minister for Shipping, Road Transport and Highways T R Baalu directed authorities to examine various short-term and long-term measures aimed at promoting the sector.

Presiding over a review meeting held here recently to discuss various issues pertaining to the growth of Indian coastal shipping, the Minister said the sector had great untapped potential, and asked the authorities to examine the feasibility of the following steps: -Providing further rebate in the existing 40 per cent vessel-related and cargo-related charges at major ports.

-Possibility of entitling Indian-flag vessels carrying even part coastal cargo for concessional tariffs for the coastal sector.

-Providing special dedicated berths at identified major ports for coastal vessels.

-Authorising the Classification Societies with special reference to the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) for undertaking statutory survey on behalf of the Director General of Shipping.

-Earmarking of dedicated storage areas for coastal cargos at identified major ports so as to provide them a longer free period considering their long evacuation process.

-The Minister said that the above mentioned measures should be discussed threadbare with all the stakeholders, especially with the coastal vessel operators, besides formal consultations with all the maritime states.

The Review Meeting was attended by the Chairman and Members of the National Shipping Board, Chairman Inland Waterways Authority of India and Chairpersons of various ports besides the senior officials of the Ministry of Shipping Road Transport and Highways.

UNI