The Goa Barge Owners’ Association (GBOA) has appointed a new managing committee for the 2025–26 term during its Extraordinary General Body Meeting held on April 26, 2025. The newly elected office bearers officially assumed their roles following a committee meeting on May 2, 2025.
The new committee is led by Chandrakant Gawas as President, with Derrick Vales serving as Vice President, Alex Coutinho as General Secretary, and Mahendra (Mayur) Parsekar as Treasurer. Committee members also include Rahul Naik, Priyesh Kamat, and Rohit Parab.
In their inaugural meeting, the committee conveyed a sense of optimism over the potential resumption of mining activities in Goa — a move that could breathe new life into the barge industry, which has historically depended on mining transport for its operations.
President Chandrakant Gawas expressed hope for a positive turnaround. “The revival of mining could lead to renewed employment opportunities and economic stability. We are optimistic that better days are ahead for barge operators,” he said.
The GBOA also reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with government agencies and relevant stakeholders to facilitate the sustainable revival of mining and ensure the efficient operation of the state’s maritime logistics sector.
With the new committee at the helm, the GBOA aims to address the challenges faced by barge operators and advocate for policies that promote industry growth while aligning with environmental and regulatory standards.