By Dominick Rodrigues
Mumbai : With excessive requirement of Oxygen and related equipment becoming a priority due to Covid-19 in the country, the Government of India has directed all Major Ports — including the Kamarajar Port Limited — to waive-off all charges levied by Major Port Trusts (including vessel related charges, storage charges etc.) and accord highest priority in the berthing sequence to the vessels carrying consignments over the next three months.
The consignments include; Medical Grade Oxygen, Oxygen Tanks, Oxygen Bottles, Portable Oxygen Generators, Oxygen Concentrators, Steel Pipes for manufacturing Oxygen Cylinders and associated equipment.
Port Chairpersons have been asked to personally supervise logistic operations to ensure unhindered movement of such consignments for berthing of such vessel on top priority in the port, unloading of oxygen related cargo, coordination with Customs and other authorities for speedy clearance/documentation and expeditious evacuation of oxygen related cargo from port.
In case the vessel is carrying other cargo/containers in addition to oxygen-related cargo, waiver of charges on pro-rata basis — considering the overall cargo or containers handled at port– should be provided for oxygen-related cargo to such vessels.
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways will monitor the details of such vessels, cargo and time taken in the port from the time vessel entered in the port limits to exit of cargo from port gate.
The Government of India is deeply engaged in handling the crisis related to the second wave of COVID-19 in the country and is taking all steps in this regard through appropriate and innovative measures, a Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways release stated.
