Cargo handling in national waterways up by 1700% in FY23: Govt

Cargo handling in national waterways has grown by more than 1700 per cent to 126.15 million metric tonnes (MMT) in 2022-23 from 6.83 MMT in 2013-14, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MOPSW) said while chairing the meeting on the ‘Coastal Shipping Policy’ on Friday. 

He also added that the government has identified a total potential of 1300 MTPA cargo movement by coastal shipping by 2047.

In a bid to enhance coastal cargo handling capacity and facilitation of passenger movement along the coast, five dedicated coastal berths have been developed, creating a handling capacity of 6.34 MTPA. 

In the year 2014-15, Indian ports handled about 74.97 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) of coastal cargo  which jumped to 151 MTPA in 2022-23, witnessing a growth of 104 per cent. National Waterways handled 126.15 MMT cargo in 2022-23 while it was 6.83 MMT in 2013-14. 

To facilitate the coastal vessels the MoPSW has also introduced priority berthing policy and green channel clearance for faster evacuation of coastal cargo at ports. “A discount of 40 per cent is offered by major ports on vessels and cargo related charges to coastal cargo vessels. After looking at the potential the government has also reduced GST on bunker fuels used in Indian Flag Vessels from 18 per cent  to 5 per cent,” the minister said.