Barge owners press authorities to restart bauxite cargo handling at Mormugao Port, Goa

The owners of barges at Goa's Mormugao Port call on the authorities to reopen the port and resume handling the bauxite cargo. Mormugao Port Authority (MPA) is a venerable port nestled along the western shores of India within the picturesque state of Goa. Established in 1885, it occupies the historic grounds of a natural harbour and boasts a legacy as one of India's earliest maritime hubs.

Barge owners are urging authorities to intervene and redirect cargo back to Mormugao Port instead of diverting it to Jaigarh Port. Raymond Desa, former President of the Goa Barge Owners Association, confirmed that Hindalco, the principal company transporting Bauxite Cargo, has already rerouted a ship to Jaigarh Port.

Jaigarh Port, also known as Jaigad Port, is an all-weather, multipurpose port in Jaigarh, Maharashtra, India. JSW Infrastructure operates the port, which has seven berths and an installed capacity of 55 million tonnes per annum (mtpa).

Raymond Desa said, "The diversion of bauxite cargo from MPA to JSW-Jaigarh Port has had a huge negative impact on the barge industry."

"MV Star Scarlett, a ship with a load of about 1,64,069 tonnes of bauxite cargo, has been diverted to JSW Jaigarh Port by importer Aditya Birla, managing the Hindalco group. The repercussions of this diversion have significantly impacted various sectors, particularly the Barge industry, cargo transporters, stevedores, and local labourers who rely heavily on the regular movement of Bauxite cargo for their daily livelihood."

"The sudden alteration of the cargo route from MPA to Jaigarh Port has created a looming threat to the stability and incomes of numerous individuals dependent on this cargo flow at MPA."

The diversion of bauxite cargo could cause losses of INR 12 crores to the stakeholders, including losses of INR 3 crores to the barge industry. The Barge industry's owners face formidable challenges due to the abrupt diversion, as their operations are intrinsically tied to the efficient cargo movement through MPA Port. The disruptive actions leading to this diversion have hampered industry operations and jeopardised the livelihoods of many involved stakeholders, especially after the restriction on the Iron Movement imposed by the Goa Government.

"We urge the authorities to take immediate action by conducting a thorough investigation into the ship's diversion and implementing necessary measures to prevent such incidents. The well-being and sustainability of the Barge industry and its associated stakeholders are at stake, and the government must prioritise this issue for the sake of our daily livelihood—that of all the port-dependent stakeholders," Desa added.