Passage to Global Shippers The Government of India has relaxed cabotage for (i) special vessels such as Roll-On Roll-Off (Ro-Ro), Roll-On Roll-Off (Hybrid Ro-Ro), RO-RO-cum- Passenger (Ro-Pax), Pure Car Carriers, Pure Car and Truck Carriers, LNG vessels and Over-Dimensional Cargo or Project Cargo Carriers which are in short supply in the country for a period of five years w.e.f 2nd September, 2015 and (ii) for all ports which transship at least 50% of the EXIM and empty container handled w.e.f 7th March, 2016. The cabotage has been relaxed with the objective to promote Coastal Shipping in India. Cabotage relaxation of special vessels will enable global shipping lines to transport automobiles from one Indian port to other Indian port. This will decongest roads and railways and also reduce carbon emissions. Cabotage relaxation for container transhipment ports will enable shipping lines to consolidate Indian EXIM and empty containers at transhipment ports in India for onward transportation to destination ports by main shipping lines. This information was given by Minister of State for Shipping, Shri Pon. Radhakrishnan in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today.