Aimed at promoting coastal Ro-Ro ship service at major ports, the Shipping Ministry has decided to increase the discounts for such vessels with immediate effect.

It was decided to provide 80 per cent discount for two years on vessel-related and cargo-related charges for coastal transportation through Ro-Ro ships.

Marketing campaign

According to a notification, the Ministry has asked all major ports to carry out intensive marketing campaign for demand generation to make the discounts sustainable.

As per the existing scheme relating to concessional rates, all such charges for coastal movements should not exceed 60 per cent of the corresponding charges for other vessels. There is no separate provision for Ro-Ro vessels for coastal cargo and its movement through such vessels attract 40 per cent discount.

Delay in car delivery

Meanwhile, the Ministry has called a meeting with Car Carriers Association in New Delhi on October 7 to discuss the issues connected with the availability of car carrier trucks in Kochi for the smooth delivery of cars arrived in the port in the Ro-Ro ship last week.

The shortage of such heavy vehicles has delayed the movement of the consignment to dealerships and the vessel operator Sical Logistics could deliver only 200 cars out of the total 345, sources in the port told BusinessLine.

The Cyprus registered RoRo car vessel mv Dredsen had brought 345 cars of Hyundai, Ford, Renault last week. The vessel called at the port from Ennore in the circuit of Ennore-Cochin-Kandla-Cochin- Ennore.

Another ship for Kochi

Meanwhile, the port is all set to receive the second Ro-Ro ship on Thursday morning with 180 cars even though there was some concern on the issues raised by trade unions over unloading of cars. The unions demanded the utilisation of the services of workers including that of drivers enlisted in the Labour Welfare Board to bring the cars to the shore. But, the shipping agents refused to heed their request especially in the case of drivers, saying that it is a skilled work and hence needed experienced personnel.

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