Abstract:
Coastal Shipping, as a mode of domestic cargo transport has not been realised
to a significant extent in India. Research has shown that roadways have become
the most superior form of domestic cargo transport in the country. This study
aims to plan for economic and efficient movement of domestic cargo towards and
away from Jawaharlal Nehru Port through Coastal Shipping. This research
intends to determine the conditions under which coastal shipping could be
accepted as a primary mode for port bound domestic cargo movement.
Based on the intensive literature review, several factors affecting the mode
choice of freight forwarders and logistics operators have been found out, which
have become the basis of this research. Modal efficiency for all the existing
modes have been measured on the basis of these factors, followed by a Stated
Preference Survey for a modal shift towards Coastal Shipping. Major domestic
cargo destinations and origins have been identified along with the quantum of
cargo targeted for import and export. The locations in relative vicinity to the coast
have been identified, after which cost, time and emission calculations for different
mode combinations and places have been done to arrive at the most optimum
combination. Further, an economic evaluation through Cost Benefit analysis,
based on certain assumptions has been done for the prospective sites. In order
to identify the loopholes in the coastal shipping sector, an assessment of its
institutional framework has also been done.
Towards the end, infrastructure essential for coastal shipping has been proposed
at both JNPT and the prospective ports, in accordance with the projected cargo
and gap assessment. Also, a proposal related to the co-ordination of various
stakeholders involved in the domestic cargo movement through coastal shipping
followed by an implementation strategy for the same.
This research has given an insight into the scenario under which certain
stakeholders might be convinced to move their cargo via the coastal waters and
the infrastructure which would suffice that need. Further research may be
necessary to investigate the reasons for the viability of coastal shipping at certain
sites.
