IWAI inks pact with MOL for transportation of LPG through inland waterways

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Inland Waterways Authority of India and the MOL (Asia Oceania) Limited for transportation of Liquefied Natural Gas through barges on National Waterways-1 and National Waterways-2. The MoU was inked in the presence of Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Mansukh Mandaviya.

The Inland Waterways Authority will provide support for, facilitating with adequate fairway, handling of LPG cargo on IWAI terminals or Multimodal Terminals at Haldia, Sahibganj and Varanasi.

MOL Group is the world’s largest gas carrier company and will invest for construction and operation of dedicated LPG barges under Make-in-India initiative.

Presently, 60 per cent of the LPG is moved through road to the various locations with a cost of five to six rupees per metric tonne per kilometre. Further issues like transporters strikes, road blockages also cause delay in transportation. The waterways provides a cheaper alternative to the existing mode of transportation, which is also cleaner and greener mode. Handling LPG by inland waterways will help reduce the carbon footprints, lowering the overall logistics cost, which in India stands approximately 13 to 14 per cent of GDP, compared to global average of eight per cent.

Source:NSD