Question : CARGO HANDLING BY INDIAN SHIPS

MINISTER OF SURFACE TRANSPORT (SHRI RAJNATH SINGH)

(a) to (d) A statement is laid on the table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN PART (a) to (d) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 392 FOR ANSWER ON 21.8.2000 ASKED BY SHRI MANSINH PATEL, M.P. REGARDING CARGO HANDLING BY INDIAN SHIPS

(a) & (b) Presumably the question refers to loading and unloading of coastal cargo handled by Indian Ships at Indian Ports and percentage share of Indian flag vessels in the overseas cargo traffic at Indian Ports. The following figures are available :-

(`000 Tonnes) 
Year	Unloaded	Loaded	Total	Percentage of cargo	handled by Indian ships to	total Cargo
OVERSEAS
1997-98	53416 7393 60809	30.0
1998-99	55054 5917 60971	30.5
COASTAL
1997-98	41106 32160 73266	89.7
1998-99	42381 33386 75767	92.0
TOTAL
1997-98	94522	39553	134075	47.2
1998-99	97435	39303	136738	48.4

The figures show that there has been no decline in the cargo handled by Indian ships.

(c) The emphasis during the Ninth Plan has been mainly on maintaining the existing share of Indian flag vessels in Overseas trade i.e. in liner trade 9.8 per cent, dry bulk trade 15.6 per cent and in petroleum products 51.8 percent. No target has however been set for the purpose on a year to year basis.

(d) The steps taken by Government to increase the share of cargo transportation by Indian Ships, include :-


(i) Permitting import of large vessels under Open General Licence w.e.f. 1.4.97.

(ii) Participation of Shipping Corporation of India in joint venture for LNG transportation.

(iii) Shipping Companies have been permitted to retain sale proceeds of Indian ships abroad for fresh acquisition.

(iv) Freedom to time charter out Indian ships to foreign companies for employment in international cross trade by Indian shipping companies.

(v) Relaxation of Age norms for acquisition of second-hand vessels.

(vi) Simplification of procedure for acquisition of second-hand/new ships.

(vii) Restoration of benefit under Section 33 AC of Income Tax Act to Shipping Industry w.e.f. 1.4.2000.

(viii) Reiterating the Government policy of buying on FOB (Free on board) basis and selling on CIF (Cost, insurance freight) basis for all Government Departments/Public Sector Undertakings from time to time.