Coastal shipping is cost-effective compared with road and rail. In road transport, the cost is INR2 (US$0.02)-INR3 per tonne/km, in rail it is INR1.2-INR1.5 per tonne/km, while in sea transport it is INR0.2-0.3/tonne/km, reports Chenna's daily Hindu Business Line.

From July 1, the ChPT modified the concession offered on vessel-related charges (VRC) for coastal vessels carrying coastal transshipment and Exim (export and import) laden trans-shipment cargo.

An upfront concession of 70 per cent in VRC will be offered to coastal vessels carrying 100 TEU, or more, of Exim transshipment containers per voyage. An upfront concession of 50 per cent in VRC will be offered to coastal vessels carrying either 100 TEU of coastal laden transshipment containers or 100 TEU of combined Exim and coastal-laden transshipment containers.

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