RoRo ferries receive safety upgrade before launch, ops to start in May

Panaji: The river navigation department (RND) is in the final stages of completing its new RoRo (roll-on/roll-off) ferries, with a focus on enhancing passenger safety. These ferries are slated to begin operations next month.
“We have done the final outfitting and installing additional safety railings for passengers,” RND director Vikram Rajebhosale told TOI. “One of the two RoRo ferries was lowered at the Loutolim shipyard on Wednesday, after completing painting works.”
He added, “Now, all the alignment and engine work, propeller shaft fitting, among others, will be taken up on the vessel. Subsequently, the ferry will undergo trials from May 15.”
The building of these two ferries was commissioned by the RND on a build-and-operate basis. While the RND gave a deadline of May 1 for the completion of both ferries to the shipbuilder, their launch may be further delayed.
Rajebhosale confirmed this after the shipbuilding process encountered a hitch following a series of hurdles faced by the RND and the shipbuilders. In Feb, the shipment of the propulsion systems for the ferries, sourced from Austria, was stuck at the Mumbai port, resulting in a delay in reaching Goa.
“This deck-mounted propulsion technology is being introduced for the first time in Goa’s river navigation system and will revolutionise the efficiency of ferry operations,” Rajebhosale said.
Earlier this month, the shipbuilding process encountered a hitch when operational issues arose due to the positioning of the two vessels on the construction site. To resolve the situation, the shipyard decided to lower the second, still-incomplete vessel into the water first.
Days later, the first vessel was lowered, after which the second ferry was lifted back out of the water to complete the finishing processes.