Planning for Efficient and Economic Port Bound Domestic Cargo Movement through Coastal Shipping Case of Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust

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.