From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji
Panaji, Apr 17: The iron ore export from Goa, which had come to standstill for last two days, resumed on Sunday after the channels leading to state’s both the ports were cleared.
The industry sources confirmed that the barges (smaller ships) had begun offloading the ore into transshipers which were anchored at the outer harbour of Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) and Panaji Minor Port.
The fishermen from Vasco town had blocked the channels by anchoring almost 1,000 fishing trawlers and canoes protesting against the demolition of their houses at Kharewado, which is adjacent to MPT.
Their houses were being razed down to pave way for MPT expansion. The demolition was stopped on Saturday evening after Chief Minister Digambar Kamat personally intervened and called for the meeting of all the stakeholders.
Goa Mineral Ore Exporters’ Association Secretary Glen Kalavampara said that the loading has started in around 20 transshipers, which were anchored at the outer ports.
He said that the exporters, who had assured consignments to the buyers abroad, has faced losses to the tune of USD 1.6 lakh due to the strike that began on Friday.
Goa which exports around 45 Million Metric tones of Iron ore annually loads almost two to 3 lakh metric tones of ore daily through both the ports.
All Goa Barge Owners Association President Atul Jadhav said that the barges (ships), which were stranded in the river, had started moving towards the outer habour last night.
Industry sources stated that the shippers have now decided to apply for `force measure clause’ with the buyers that would save them considerably from bearing the losses due to the strike.
“It is for the buyers to decide whether to accept the force measure clause or not. But certainly, applying for such clause sends wrong signal about the country,” representative of a leading shipper said.
MPT, which handles the loading operations of iron ore, had predicted that the two day long strike would cost them Rs 45 crore in various form. Port Chairman P Mara Pandiyan said that the port operations had come to standstill due to the strike.