RoRo ferries on Ribandar-Chorao route by year-end

Panaji: The river navigation department (RND) has unveiled plans to introduce roll-on roll-off (RoRo) ferries on the Ribandar-Chorao route within the next six months. As per the approved proposal, Goa-based Vijay Marine Services will construct and operationalise two RoRo ferries on a build-and-operate basis.
“The introduction of RoRo ferries holds immense promise for Goa’s river transport mode.With a strict deadline of 180 days, the project is expected to be completed by December,” said RND director, Vikramsinh Raje Bhosale. In May 2017, TOI had reported about the govt’s plans to introduce RoRo ferries.
RoRo ferries are large vessels built to carry a larger number of vehicles that can be driven on and off the water vessels.
“One of the features of RoRo ferries is their capacity to carry 15 two-wheeler vehicles simultaneously. However, adherence to RND regulations dictates a maximum occupancy of 150 commuters per vessel to ensure passenger safety,” Bhosale said.
Characterised by their larger size, dual ramps, and twin engines, these ferries can easily navigate between jetties without having to turn around for vehicles to get on and off the ferries.
In Nov 2022, a delegation led by RND minister, Subhash Phal Dessai, along with Mandrem MLA Jit Arolkar and Mayem MLA Premendra Shet had visited the country’s largest shipping vessel manufacturing company, Cochin Shipyard Ltd, based in Kerala to understand first-hand new technologies adopted in ship-building.
In Sep 2023, Phal Desai had said that two RoRo ferries are expected to arrive in Goa soon and that their operational routes will be determined following a trial run, during which the RND will assess their viability and revenue potential.
In October 2023, state govt invited bids from shipbuilders, and shipbuilding and operating companies for designing, constructing and operating two RoRo ferryboats on the Chorao-Ribandar route. The tender value was Rs 10 crore.