Bauxite cargo evacuation at India's Mormugao Port halted due to protests by residents

According to our report, it has been confirmed since December 15 that the road transportation of bauxite and coal from the Indian state-owned Mormugao Port has been halted due to opposition from Vasco City inhabitants to the transit of these commodities due to pollution concerns.

The port is now home to about 100,000 tonnes of bauxite cargo that belonged to clients, including Hindalco Industries Ltd and UltraTech Cement Ltd (owned by the Aditya Birla Group). Due to the protesting locals, the material cannot use the two export-import gates of Mormugao port. 

A port official stated, “In the last three days, 30,000-40,000 tonnes of cargo were expected to be transported out of the port by road. The port will soon become congested."

“It’s strange that some 10-15 people have completely stopped cargo evacuation from the port by road for the last three days. The State government machinery is not doing anything to resolve the law-and-order issue.”

The shipment of bauxite cargo by big ships is only transported by road to a customer's location once it has arrived at the port. The majority of the coal transported through the port is transported by train, unaffected by the unrest, while 10–20 per cent is evacuated by road.

With a growing emphasis on cruise ship movements, port authorities decided that bauxite and coal movements through Gate No. 1, which is closer to the cruise, will be completely diverted through Gate No. 9 when a cruise vessel docks at the port. Trucks evacuating cargo through Gate No. 9 must travel 1.5 kilometres inside Vasco City to connect to the nearest highway, prompting residents to protest. However, due to a bypass road that helps connect to the highway immediately, cargo-laden trucks do not need to pass through Vasco city using Gate No 1.

According to a shipping agency official in Vasco, where the port is located, "Even when cruise ships are not berthed at the port, trailer drivers are reluctant to depart the goods through Gate No 1 owing to fear of being attacked by the agitated citizens."

"The protests have not affected Cargo ship operations at the port so far. But, evacuation will be hit when cargo cannot move out of the port. Then, vessel operations will also face problems."