VASCO: Chairman of Mormugao Port Trust Rajiv Jalota on Friday cleared the air over the stoppage of container service rumours circulating within the trade fraternity and assured all the stakeholders to take all possible measures for retention of container service at the port, here.
“To quell any rumours that may be floating within the trade fraternity, very bold and active steps were promptly initiated by the management of MPT, Goa for retention of the container service,” stated Jalota.
“Based on the discussion with all stakeholders and after identifying the key barriers for the feeder operators and container agents a decision was taken on Thursday to grant substantial discounts to any new feeder operator commencing the service at MPT. Some additional discounts were also agreed to be given to container vessels for next three months for the sea food export season,” he mentioned.
It may be recalled that recently container agent M/s Maersk Line had declared to its customers to stop taking container bookings from the MPT. On further enquiry, it was learnt that the only container feeder vessel operator from MPT Goa, M/s Sima Marine will discontinue the container vessels call at the MPT.
In a press statement, the MPT stated that these above details were made available from the exporters, importers, Customs House agents, Chambers etc. However, it is important to understand that neither the feeder operator, nor any container agent formally informed the port about these decisions, which have a very negative impact on the entire value chain of containerised trade in the State.
Accordingly the matter was pro-actively taken up by MPT Goa, with the feeder operator and container agents via video conference. The matter also was represented to MPT by the industry associations of almost all the stakeholders involved in the container trade in the State.
Notably, Logistics Committee of Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry represented the matter in a personal meeting with the MPT chairman and traffic manager, giving specific problems of the industry and suggestions.
