Hit by the ban on mining in Goa, the state's shipping industry is exploring a new avenue of carrying long-distance cargo from inland waterways to ports in the neighbouring states, passing through the Arabian Sea.
"Since there is an uncertainty over mining in Goa, we are exploring the possibility of using our ships for other kind of long-distance cargo," Atul Jadhav, president of All Goa Barge Owners Association (AGBOA) said.
Around 300-odd barges carrying iron ore from different jetties to the Mormugao Port and Panaji Port have been rendered jobless, due to current ban on exports of iron ore from Goa imposed by the Supreme Court.
"The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) has already conducted a study on Goa's 105-km-long coastline and declared its water as partially smooth, which will give a right to the ships from the state to travel up to 12 nautical miles in the sea," Jadhav added. INCOIS has already submitted its report to Goa's Captain of Ports, who will have to forward it to the Union Ministry of Shipping, he said.
