Mangalore : The first shipment of building material to Minicoy Island in Lakshadeep established at New Mangalore Port (NMP) on October 29, Wednesday.

The a cargo vessel MV PFS Prosperity, berthed at the Port to carry materials like stone jelly/ aggrigate, cement and sand and others on October 27. The vessel is expected to sail on October 30 after loading the materials.

Previously, such cargo was moving through Old Port of Mangalore and other neighbouring ports and this is the first coastal movement of cargo to Minicoy from New Mangalore Port.

M/s M K Shipping is the stevedores and carrying and forwarding agents. The exporter of the entire consignment is M/s Export Marine Services, Mangalore.

As per NMP, the Ministry of Shipping has given new guidelines under which ports will have to give importance to berthing to dry bulk and general cargo coastal vessels in order to save on fuel cost, decongest railways, road transport and promote water transport.

NMP Traffic Manager D. Mahadevaiah, the ministry has also directed all 12 major ports to earmark exclusive berths and green channel for coastal cargo to promote the sector.

He also said that the NMPT has initiated steps for promoting the coastal movement of cargo