Port Blair, June 12: The Lt. Governor, Lt. Gen (retd). AK Singh reviewed the major issues of the Shipping Department on Friday. A presentation covering the major aspects and activities including the ongoing projects related to Shipping Department was made by the Commissioner-cum-Secretary (Shipping) to the Lt. Governor.
The issues discussed include status of Ship Acquisition Plan including construction of the new Mainland Inter Island Vessels and their timelines, construction of 400 pax vessel M.V. Mayabander at M/a Alcock Ashdown Shipyard, Gujarat, Construction of new Dry Dock and Ship Repair facilities in the Island, Chartering of Inter Island vessels, Acquisition of new Tugs amongst other operational Issues.
While reviewing the activities of the Shipping Department, the Lt. Governor impressed upon the immediate need to make the shipping operations more efficient and cost effective. He emphasized that there was a need to transfer the passenger transportation load from ships to air in the coming years for which additional funds would be required in the Aviation Sector.
These would have to be generated by cost cutting/saving in the shipping service by making them more lean and effective. He also directed to the Shipping Department to work out the details in this regard and make a separate presentation at an early date.
