PANAJI: The river Mandovi and Zuari on which barges operate are low draft rive. The navigated route is approximately 25 nautical miles. There are apprehensions on the part of industry that further increase in size of ore carrie`` is difficult unless there is higher draft and consequently increased water depths are considered necessary, said a press release.
For these requirements to be met, the capital dredging in the rive is required which involves huge financial implications, said speakers at a seminar on "Goa Barges – Future Trends in Design," held at the Goa International Center, orgainsed by The Institute of Shipbuilding Technology, Goa (ISBT) and Indian Maritime Unive``ity (IMU), Vizag.
The ore carrier transport iron ore from land to the port area, where the ore is unloaded into ocean going bulk carrier (Panamax and Capesize). The sizes of ore carrie`` (barges) have increased over the year from less than 500 tonnes in 1970s to the present maximum size of 2,500 tonnes.
Considering the present scenario, the industry is determined to construct larger ore carrie`` under the current operating conditions. The recent attempts by the industry to increase the deadweight carrying capacity have encountered challenges in the form of loading and unloading point restrictions, shallow water draft (3m – 8m), increased resistance, squat, and sway forces and yaw moments. Some vessels with increased capacities have been constructed without studying the navigation channel, loading and unloading points in details, have encountered problems in the areas of propulsion, maneuvering and resulted in economic non-viability.
The Barges operating on the rive`` Mandovi and Zuari contribute to 90 per cent of the inland waterways transport in India, the last three yea`` have seen a surge in the exports of iron ore to 50 million tones, the release said.
Technical paper were presented by Mr Satish Paliencar, ISBT Goa, Prof. O P Sha, IIT Kharagpur and Barge Owner Association. The seminar generated discussions among barge operator who are now keen to adopt larger vessels with modern technology to meet the growing demand of ore transportation.
Mr. Vijay Chhibber, Addl. Secretary & Financial Advisor, Ministry of Shipping was the Chief Guest and Mr. S K Srivastava, chief secretary was the guest of honour. ISBT & IMU, Vizag and IIT, Kharagpur had carried out extensive work on the increasing trade of ore transported through Mandovi and Zuari rive`` and design of new and high capacity barges that help in better profitability. This work was sponsored through a research project sponsored by the Ministry of Shipping. During the function, Mr. Chhibber handed over the design document to Mr. S. K. Srivastava. It was decided that ISBT will head a core committee to unde``tand the emerging requirements of the operato`` and coordinate with IMU and IIT-Kharagpur to provide improved barge designs.
