Major Ports Waive-Off All Charges For Ships Carrying Oxygen & Related Equipment Cargo Amid Covid Crisis

All major ports have been asked to accord 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, said a release issued by the Union Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.

oxygen cylinders

New Delhi: In view of the excessive requirement of oxygen and related equipment in the country following the sudden spike in Covid-19 cases, the government has directed all major ports, including the Kamarajar Port Limited, to waive-off all charges levied by major port trusts (including vessel related charges, storage charges etc.) for the next three months or until further orders.

All major ports have been asked to accord 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, said a release issued by the Union Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.

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The government has also asked the port chairpersons 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.

The move comes a day after the government waived off customs duty and health cess on the import of Covid vaccines and oxygen with immediate effect for a period of three months with immediate effect.

The decision was taken during a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to review steps taken to boost oxygen availability in the country.

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It was suggested during the meeting that import of equipments related to providing oxygen to the patients’ needs to be expedited.  In order to augment their production and availability and to meet the rising demand, it was decided to grant full exemption from basic customs duty and health cess on import of the items related to oxygen and oxygen related equipment for a period of three months.