Latest news with #Ro-Ro
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Chorao wants old ferries in addition to Ro-Ro vessels
The Chorao panchayat has asked the river navigation department (RND) to deploy two traditional ferries on the Ribandar-Chorao route during peak hours, alleging traffic chaos and delays due to the Ro-Ro vessels. Responding to the demand, RND minister Subhash Phal Dessai said that if locals officially oppose the Ro-Ro, govt is willing to replace it with the older six ferries, noting that no loss would be incurred as the Ro-Ro vessels are not govt-owned. 'If the people, sarpanch and MLA give us a representation saying that the Ro-Ro vessels cannot handle the load and they are not better than the earlier services, we can remove them from the route,' he said. Phal Dessai said that footfall on this route has increased by 30% since the launch and problems are arising as two-wheeler riders are crowding the ramp. The minister said that videos of the loose seats and dirty toilet onboard the Ro-Ro are being circulated to 'defame' the RND. 'Am I supposed to clean the toilet after every person entering? The toilets are for emergency use only. Also, bending the seats to show they are loose is an effort to malign us.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like My 4-year-old kidneys are failing, only you can help Donate For Health Donate Now Undo 'As much as we admire the benefits of Ro-Ros, these vessels are not enough during peak hours. The Ro-Ros operate from 7am to 9pm, so we have asked the RND to provide two traditional ferries from 7am to 9am and again in the afternoon and evening,' sarpanch Ramakant Priolkar told TOI . The panchayat's request comes after locals endured congestion during peak hours at the Chorao berth since the Ro-Ro service began last week. 'Teething issues are bound to happen in the initial few weeks; however, we anticipated that the RND may have learnt from their mistakes after the failure of the hybrid solar-electric ferry, which was discontinued after a few months,' a Chorao resident said.
News18
2 days ago
- Automotive
- News18
In a first, Konkan Railway to operate Ro-Ro car service for Ganpati festival
Mumbai, Jul 21 (PTI) Konkan Railway on Monday said it would be running special roll on-roll off (Ro-Ro) train services from August 23 to September 11 between Kolad in Maharashtra and Verna in Goa for private cars during the upcoming Ganpati festival. The specially designed rake for the Ro-Ro car service, which will commence on August 23 from Kolad and on August 24 from Verna, can accommodate 40 cars per trip, with two cars loaded on each of the 20 wagons, a KR release said. 'The owners will have to shell out Rs 7875 inclusive of GST for transporting their car using Ro-Ro. They will have to pay Rs 4000 initially at the time of booking, and the balance on the day of the journey. Per car, a maximum of three persons will be allowed to travel in the attached 3AC or second seating coach. For this, each person will have to pay the prescribed fare, which is Rs 935 for 3AC and Rs 190 for the second seating coach," the release said. 'In the event of insufficient bookings (fewer than 16 cars), the trip will be cancelled and registration fees will be fully refunded. The bookings for the service will open between July 21 and August 13. Those who want to avail the service can make reservations at KR's Belapur or Verna-based offices with flexible payment options, including UPI and cash," it added. The service will run end-to-end between Kolad and Verna, with departures at 5 pm and arrivals at 5 am the following day, with car owners having to report at the starting point at 2 pm, about three hours before the departure time, the release said. KR pioneered the Ro-Ro service concept in India in 1999 for trucks, officials said, adding this is the first time it is being operated for private cars. On June 3, KR chairman-managing director Santosh Kumar Jha had assured to explore the possibility of launching Ro-Ro service for the private cars during the upcoming Ganapati festival if there is sufficient demand. During the Ganapati festival, among the biggest in the Konkan belt, lakhs of people travel from Mumbai and other parts of the state using various modes of transport, including cars, though many are left distressed due to the poor condition of the national highway. PTI KK BNM view comments First Published: July 21, 2025, 18:15 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
New Indian Express
5 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Commuters complain of ‘preference' to Kerala govt officials on Ro-Ro vessels
KOCHI: The Vypeen-Fort Kochi Ferry Passengers Association has shot off a letter to the Kochi corporation, alleging that a 'preferential' treatment is being meted out to government officials to get on Ro-Ro (Roll-On Roll Off) vessels in the Fort Kochi-Vypeen section during the morning and evening peak hours. Commuters have also highlighted the need for more vessels to better handle passenger influx, contradicting the 'claim' of the corporation before the High Court that only a smaller number of passengers use the facility. 'Government employees working in various departments are being extended preferential treatment. Those carrying ID cards are allowed to violate the queue and travel ticket-less, which results in the common people, who stand in a queue, waiting for long hours before they can hop on to the vessel,' the letter addressed to the corporation secretary read. While stating that a heavy rush is being experienced round-the-clock, the association rued that ordinary passengers are affected by the 'preferential treatment' as they often couldn't catch the first Ro-Ro upon arrival at the boat jetty. 'All commuters value time and need to reach their respective places of work on time. Being in a government service doesn't make one eligible for the 'emergency service'. Many officials arrive in their private vehicles during the peak hours, and jump the queue. The same is against the principles of equality and social justice as ensured in the Constitution. When we contacted the Kerala Shipping & Inland Navigation Corporation (KSINC), which is operating the Ro-Ro service, they said they are giving special treatment to the government employees as the same was approved by the corporation,' said Francis Chammany, president of the association.
Gulf Today
03-07-2025
- Automotive
- Gulf Today
AD Ports Group, Ningbo Zhoushan Port Group to establish automotive logistics ecosystem
AD Ports Group and Zhejiang Provincial Seaport Investment & Operation Group Co., Ltd. (Ningbo Zhoushan Port Group), one of China's largest and most dynamic port operators, have entered into a preliminary strategic agreement to establish a comprehensive automotive logistics ecosystem connecting Chinese manufacturing capabilities with Middle Eastern, Central Asian, and African markets through integrated terminal operations, dedicated fleet services, and multimodal transport solutions. The agreement was signed by Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Managing Director and Group CEO of AD Ports Group, and Tao Chengbo, Chairman of Zhejiang Provincial Seaport Investment & Operation Group Co. Ltd, at a ceremony marking the maiden voyage of UGR Zakher, the second LNG-powered vessel operated by United Global Ro-Ro (UGR), a Joint Venture formed between AD Ports Group and Erkport. Leveraging the established automotive sourcing of Ningbo Zhoushan Port and distribution capabilities of UGR and responding to the growing demand for vehicle exports from China, the agreement outlines plans to reciprocatively develop Ro-Ro and automotive terminals at Ningbo Zhoushan Port and AD Ports Group's hub locations. Enhancements considered under this agreement include accommodating larger vessels, increasing vehicle handling capacity and reducing turnaround times at the ports. These improvements aim to boost operational efficiency while delivering world-class performance standards and customer service. Plans include using UGR as the designated Ro-Ro carrier, which has a specialised PCTC and Ro-Ro vessel fleet and the operational expertise. UGR already operates Ro-Ro services connecting China with terminals in the Middle East, Asia and the Mediterranean. Al Shamisi said this preliminary strategic partnership marks a defining moment in both sides' efforts to establish smart, connected automotive corridors across continents. 'With our fleet and global experience in the Ro-Ro segment complemented by UGR's operations, we offer immediate vessel availability and operational excellence,' he stated. He added, 'With the introduction of our second LNG-powered vessel in the UGR fleet, it not only increases cargo capacity for our customers but also demonstrates our commitment to investing in a fleet that supports global decarbonisation. The continued expansion of our Ro-Ro operations is a key element of our growth strategy, particularly as demand for automobile exports from China continues to rise; we are also excited at the possibility of seamless multimodal connectivity by integrating the Middle Corridor's rail and maritime routes.' Chengbo stated, 'Ningbo Zhoushan Port, a key deep-water port in China, ranks first globally in cargo throughput and serves as a vital hub for world trade. The maiden voyage of the new UGR ship, UGR Zakher, at Ningbo Zhoushan Port marks a new phase in our strategic partnership with AD Ports Group. Leveraging the cooperation in car roll-on/roll-off services, we will further expand our business areas, enhance comprehensive cooperation in logistics, warehousing, green energy, and talent exchange, and inject strong momentum into the coordinated development of the China-Arab Economic Corridor. Moving forward, Ningbo Zhoushan Port will continue to embrace the principles of openness and cooperation, continuously improve its service functions, strengthen cooperation with ports along the Belt and Road Initiative, and contribute more to building a more open and inclusive global economic landscape.' UGR Zakher, with a capacity of 7,000 Car Equivalent Units (CEUs), mirrors the attributes of sister ship, UGR Al Samha, which was acquired earlier this year. Together, the two vessels boast the same lower greenhouse gas emissions thanks to the use of LNG, alongside improved energy and operational efficiencies. Technology integration will also be considered as per the agreement, including comprehensive digital platforms providing real-time visibility, predictive analytics, and automated coordination capabilities to enhance operational performance while reducing complexity and manual intervention. In addition, the partners will explore synergies between sea and inland rail routes to create a comprehensive multimodal transport network through the Middle Corridor and offer alternative routing options for China-Central Asia-Europe trade flows. WAM
Al Etihad
03-07-2025
- Automotive
- Al Etihad
AD Ports Group, Ningbo Zhoushan Port Group to establish automotive logistics ecosystem
3 July 2025 14:04 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)AD Ports Group and Zhejiang Provincial Seaport Investment & Operation Group Co., Ltd. (Ningbo Zhoushan Port Group), one of China's largest and most dynamic port operators, have entered into a preliminary strategic agreement to establish a comprehensive automotive logistics ecosystem connecting Chinese manufacturing capabilities with Middle Eastern, Central Asian, and African markets through integrated terminal operations, dedicated fleet services, and multimodal transport agreement was signed by Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Managing Director and Group CEO of AD Ports Group, and Tao Chengbo, Chairman of Zhejiang Provincial Seaport Investment & Operation Group Co. Ltd, at a ceremony marking the maiden voyage of UGR Zakher, the second LNG-powered vessel operated by United Global Ro-Ro (UGR), a Joint Venture formed between AD Ports Group and the established automotive sourcing of Ningbo Zhoushan Port and distribution capabilities of UGR and responding to the growing demand for vehicle exports from China, the agreement outlines plans to reciprocally develop Ro-Ro and automotive terminals at Ningbo Zhoushan Port and AD Ports Group's hub considered under this agreement include accommodating larger vessels, increasing vehicle handling capacity and reducing turnaround times at the ports. These improvements aim to boost operational efficiency while delivering world-class performance standards and customer include using UGR as the designated Ro-Ro carrier, which has a specialised PCTC and Ro-Ro vessel fleet and operational expertise. UGR already operates Ro-Ro services connecting China with terminals in the Middle East, Asia and the Shamisi said this preliminary strategic partnership marks a defining moment in both sides' efforts to establish smart, connected automotive corridors across continents. 'With our fleet and global experience in the Ro-Ro segment complemented by UGR's operations, we offer immediate vessel availability and operational excellence,' he added, 'With the introduction of our second LNG-powered vessel in the UGR fleet, it not only increases cargo capacity for our customers but also demonstrates our commitment to investing in a fleet that supports global decarbonisation. The continued expansion of our Ro-Ro operations is a key element of our growth strategy, particularly as demand for automobile exports from China continues to rise; we are also excited at the possibility of seamless multimodal connectivity by integrating the Middle Corridor's rail and maritime routes.'Chengbo stated, 'Ningbo Zhoushan Port, a key deep-water port in China, ranks first globally in cargo throughput and serves as a vital hub for world trade. The maiden voyage of the new UGR ship, UGR Zakher, at Ningbo Zhoushan Port marks a new phase in our strategic partnership with AD Ports Group. Leveraging the cooperation in car roll-on/roll-off services, we will further expand our business areas, enhance comprehensive cooperation in logistics, warehousing, green energy, and talent exchange, and inject strong momentum into the coordinated development of the China-Arab Economic forward, Ningbo Zhoushan Port will continue to embrace the principles of openness and cooperation, continuously improve its service functions, strengthen cooperation with ports along the Belt and Road Initiative, and contribute more to building a more open and inclusive global economic landscape.'UGR Zakher, with a capacity of 7,000 Car Equivalent Units (CEUs), mirrors the attributes of sister ship, UGR Al Samha, which was acquired earlier this year. Together, the two vessels boast the same lower greenhouse gas emissions thanks to the use of LNG, alongside improved energy and operational integration will also be considered as per the agreement, including comprehensive digital platforms providing real-time visibility, predictive analytics, and automated coordination capabilities to enhance operational performance while reducing complexity and manual intervention. In addition, the partners will explore synergies between sea and inland rail routes to create a comprehensive multimodal transport network through the Middle Corridor and offer alternative routing options for China-Central Asia-Europe trade flows. Source: Aletihad - Abu Dhabi
