On Sunday (25/04/2021) the government of India directed the major ports to wave - off the shipping charges in line with excessive requirement of Oxygen and related equipment in the country.
The Government directed the Ports, including the Kamarajar Port Limited, to waive-off all charges. Major ports have also been asked to accord highest priority in the berthing sequence to the vessels carrying consignments of medical grade oxygen, oxygen tanks, oxygen bottles, portable oxygen generators, oxygen concentrators, steel pipes for manufacturing oxygen cylinders and associated equipment.
A senior government official mentioned that,
“We are facing an emergency situation due to the second wave of COVID-19. The major ports will start implementing the direction from today onwards,”
Port chairpersons have been asked to personally supervise logistic operations such as consignments of berthing of vessels on the basis of priority, unloading of oxygen-related cargo, coordination with Customs and other authorities for speedy clearance and documentation of expeditious evacuation. The Ports Ministry will monitor the details of vessels .
India is struggling with the Second wave of COVID -19 . Hospitals in several states are facing difficulties due to Insufficiency of oxygen . Deaths are increasing day by day . The waving -off of port charges is expected to make a temporary solution for the problems.
