Mangaluru: New Mangalore Port (NMP) has become the first port to introduce Ro-Ro (roll-on/roll-off) service in India via sea. The service was launched at New Mangalore Port on October 20.
Pure car and truck carrier (PCTC) M V Maria India, a 160-metre long Ro-Ro ship with a capacity to carry up to 150 loaded trucks and 210 cars called at the port and started its operation. This vessel will be operating between Mangaluru and Hazira, Surat. With a high operating speed of 16 Knots, the ship can cover Mangaluru-Hazira distance in less than 36 hours. The entire round trip voyage including time at the ports will be of five days. The service is taken up by Link Shipping & Management System Pvt Ltd, and M/s Alvares and Thomas are steamer agents and stevedores.
Loaded trucks to Surat were driven into the vessel and the vessel sailed out. The drivers of the trucks also started in a special bus to Hazira and they will drive out their respective vehicles.
The unique feature of this vessel is that the loaded trucks and cars can be driven into the vessel and can be driven out once it reaches its final destination. This coastal service between Mangaluru and Hazira which covers a road distance of over 1,200 km will contribute substantial savings to truck operators by way of reduced fuel consumption, wear and tear of vehicles, toll charges, delays in border crossing, risk of long distance driving, in addition to the advantage of de-congestion in road movement.
This service is part of the union government’s policy of implementing the vision for Coastal Shipping, Tourism and Regional Development. Now the customers can make use of this cost-effective, reliable and environment-friendly mode of transport.
The New Mangalore Port is making all out efforts to attract more coastal movement and in this direction exclusive berths, storage sheds and gate is earmarked for coastal shipping.
