The growing concerns about diversion of cargo from the traditional mode of shipment by mechanised coastal sailing vessels to barges, a long flat-bottomed boat, raise fears among sail vessel operators that it will keep them out of business.
According to A. Subash Fernando, a stakeholder relying on this sail vessel operation in Thoothukudi, open uncovered barges have been operated only to carry rock boulders to the Maldives since 2000.
Now, 20 barges with a cargo hauling capacity of 3,000 to 8,000 tonnes from Thoothukudi minor port to various islands in the Maldives started loading general and perishable cargo in open barges too.
Of late, the cargo diversion had been affecting the fortunes of sail vessel operators. Fifteen coastal sail vessels were making regular voyages to the Maldives hauling general cargo and 2,000 families had been relying on this industry directly and indirectly.
The issue was taken to the attention of Prime Minister’s Office and also to the Shipping Ministry for action, Mr. Subash Fernando told The Hindu here on Saturday.
Sources from the sail vessel industry said an expenditure of $30 had to be incurred on berthing at the Maldives Port for a tonne of general cargo, whereas it would be only $10 for the same volume of cargo by barge.
Despite these shortcomings faced by this industry, the sail vessels had to wait for three or four days (cooling hours) on the outer anchorage point until the berthing area was cleared. But, it was not the case with barges that were allowed to berth any time.
There were no restrictions for barge operations to move across the neighbouring islands, but the sail vessel operations were restricted.
With such scenario, the sail vessel operators and other stakeholders relying on this industry were struggling for survival, sources said.
Meanwhile, the Thoothukudi Mechanised Boat Fishermen Labourers Association and Coromandel Social Welfare Forum here placed hoardings near Thoothukudi minor port, otherwise known as Old Port or Zone ‘B’ Port, citing that boulders often dropped while shipping and caused damage to sail passage and artificial reef structures being maintained by Fisheries Department.
Sources from V.O. Chidambaranar Port said the sail vessel operators, who had suspended its operations owing to the ongoing five-month foul weather, wanted to restrict general cargo-laden barges from making their voyage to the Maldives.
However, there was no rule or Act in effect to prevent barges from hauling general cargo. To amicably settle this issue, a meeting between sail vessel operators and barge operators was convened here on July 24. At the end, they could not arrive at an amicable decision.
