Major ports waive-off all charges for ships carrying oxygen,related equipment cargo

New Delhi, Apr 25 (UNI) In view of the excessive requirement of oxygen and related equipment in the country the Shipping and Port Ministry on Sunday said that it has directed all major ports in the country to waive off all charges levied by the Major Port Trusts for ships carrying oxygen and oxygen related equipment cargo.

These Port Trusts have also accorded highest priority in the berthing sequence to the vessels carrying consignments of Medical Grade Oxygen,Oxygen Tanks,Oxygen Bottles,Portable Oxygen Generators,Oxygen Concentrators,Steel Pipes for manufacturing Oxygen Cylinders and associated equipment for the next three months, or until further orders.

In an order to all major ports’ Chairpersons, the Port and Shipping Ministry has directed them to personally supervise logistic operations to ensure unhindered movement of such consignments for berthing of such vessel on top priority in the port, unloading of oxygen related cargo, coordination with Customs and other authorities for speedy clearance/documentation and expeditious evacuation of oxygen related cargo from port.

“In case the vessel is carrying other cargo/containers in addition to above said oxygen related cargo, waiver of charges on pro-rata basis, considering the overall cargo or containers handled at port, should be provided for oxygen related cargo to such vessels’, the Ministry said in the communication, adding that it will monitor the details of such vessels, cargo and time taken in the port from the time vessel entered in the port limits to exit of cargo from port gate.

The Centre has already waived off custom and other duties on the import of the medical oxygen and oxygen equipment.