PERFORMANCE & PROSPECTS OF ROLL-ON/ROLL-OFF SERVICE: A STUDY WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO COCHIN PORT TRUST

1. PERFORMANCE & PROSPECTS OF ROLL-ON/ROLL-OFF SERVICE:PERFORMANCE & PROSPECTS OF ROLL-ON/ROLL-OFF SERVICE:
A STUDY WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO COCHIN PORT TRUSTA STUDY WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO COCHIN PORT TRUST
INDIAN MARITIME UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL OF MARITIME MANAGEMENT
COCHIN CAMPUS
29th
May 2015

2. INTRODUCTION

3. The Ro-Ro facility was build with the intention to improve the
connectivity between Vallarpadam (ICTT) and Willingdon Island. The
Cochin Port Trust jointly with IWAI had formed a joint management
committee (JMC) for the purpose. LOTS shipping, a Cochin-based
shipping company had won the 10 year contract for ferrying the
containers between Willingdon Island and Vallarpadam by Roll on-Roll
off (RO-RO) and Lift On-Lift Off (LO-LO) modes. The time for
transporting container trucks by RO-RO mode was expected to be 20-25
min. The service enables the movement of containers preventing hundreds
of trucks from the crowding the Cochin roads and has reduced
transportation distance of 38 Km to 2.5Km

4. “Even though the Ro-Ro provides a window for easier and speedy
movement of container especially from the south of Kerala towards
ICTT Vallarpadam this facility is not being optimally utilized as a
result the actual estimated container moves of 750 containers per
day has fallen down to a maximum of 150 containers per day
therefore the service is suffering from continuous losses”

5. RESEARCH ISSUESRESEARCH ISSUES
1. Why the Ro-Ro service is unable to perform to its optimal level and
why is it incurring so much of loss in spite of its immense potential?
2. Why is the Ro-Ro service unable to get the expected amount of
cargo for its optimal functioning?
3. Why is the Ro-Ro service incapable of rendering continuous
service and also unable to stick on to their scheduled service time?

6. OBJECTIVESOBJECTIVES
1.To understand the reason for the incapability of Ro-Ro service in
rendering continuous service?
2.To understand the reasons why the service is not following a strict
time schedule?
3.To identify the reason why is the Ro-Ro service unable to get the
expected amount of cargo for its optimal functioning?
4.To recognize the reasons why the Ro-Ro service is unable to
perform to its optimal level and why is it incurring so much of loss
in spite of its immense potential?
5. To offer suggestions for improvement in the performance of the
service

7. METHODOLOGYMETHODOLOGY
In order to measure the performance of Ro-Ro service in Cochin Port Trust the
stratified disproportionate random sampling method has been adopted.
At the first level major stake holders of Ro-Ro have been grouped under two
sections namely
1.The service providers
2.Service users
At the second level Ro-Ro operators and Cochin Port Trust are considered as
service providers the truck operators, drivers and freight forwarders are
considered as the major users of Ro-Ro.

8. Cont…..Cont…..
At the third level in each category 5-15 samples have been surveyed with
help of pre-tested structured interview schedule.
For the purpose of comparison of the monthly performances and the
overall performance of the Ro-Ro service with the expected performance,
secondary data of the Ro-Ro operation and cargo movement have been
collected and analyzed.

9. SAMPLES SELECTEDSAMPLES SELECTED
SL.NO DEAILS
1 USERS TRUCK OPERATORS 5
TRUCK DRIVERS 10
FREIGHT
FORWARDERS
10
2 SERVICE
PROVIDERS
PORT EMPLOYEES 15
RO-RO EMPLOYEES 5
TOTAL 45

10. THE RESULT AND DISCUSSION
OF THE STUDY

11. Cargo handled in Ro-Ro fromCargo handled in Ro-Ro from 23rd
February 2011 to 30th
April
2015
SL.NO TYPE OF CONTAINER NUMBER OF TEU’S
LOADED CONTAINER
1 20 FOOT 64,532
2 40 FOOT 36,253
EMPTY CONTAINER
3 20 FOOT 15,688
4 40 FOOT 12,364
TOTAL 1,28,837

12. THE CURRENT RO-RO SCENARIOTHE CURRENT RO-RO SCENARIO
Total number of days =1528 days
Total no of working day =1239 days (Excluding Sundays and
customs .
holidays)
Expected or predicted container movement per day = 750 TEU’s
Expected total movement for 1239 days = 9, 29,250 TEU’s (approx.)
Actual movement for 1239 days = 1, 28,837 TEU’s
Therefore average movement per day = Less than 150 TEU’s

13. SUGGESTIONS PUT FORWARD BY THE SAMPLES TOSUGGESTIONS PUT FORWARD BY THE SAMPLES TO
IMPROVE THE PERFORMANCE OF THE RO-RO SERVICEIMPROVE THE PERFORMANCE OF THE RO-RO SERVICE
1.To improve the quality of the service
i. 62.22% of the population suggested to take measures reduce the
waiting time.
ii. 20% had suggested about increasing by introducing user friendly
services.
iii. 17.77 % of the samples suggested to offer customer oriented
services to improve the overall performance.

14. Cont…..Cont…..
2.To improve the reliability
i. 37.77% of the population suggested that reliability can be attained
by following a strict time schedule.
ii. Another 37.77% suggested that reliability can be attained by
offering un interrupted services
iii. Remaining 24.44%suggested both above mentioned aspects need
to be incorporated together in order to offer a reliable service.

15. Cont…..Cont…..
3. For infrastructural development
i. 42.22% suggested to improve the overall infrastructure by modifying or
changing the existing Ro-Ro vessel or by introducing an additional Ro-Ro
vessel.
ii. 4.44% suggested on performance improvement by recruiting trained
employees for the service.
iii. 35.55% believes that technological up gradation can bring about
efficiency and development in the service.
iv. 17.77% suggests all the three above mentioned aspects must be
inculcated together for the best performance .

16. FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS

17. ADVANTAGES OF USING RO-RO SERVICEADVANTAGES OF USING RO-RO SERVICE
i. Cost efficient and speedier movement
ii. Pollution Reduction
iii. Reducing Traffic Congestion
iv. Enables Eco-friendly transportation
v. Reduction of operation and maintenance cost
vi. Safer mode of transport

18. REASON FOR THE REDUCTION IN DEMAND OFREASON FOR THE REDUCTION IN DEMAND OF
RO-RORO-RO
i. Trailer drivers have an affinity to wait for Ro-Ro ferry.
ii. The service in not following a proper time schedule hence timely delivery
of cargo can’t be assured
iii. The waiting time for Ro-Ro service is very high
iv. Ro-Ro unable to offer uninterrupted service due to frequently breaks
downs.
v. The present Ro-Ro tariff is not very attractive as the profit made compared
to Road only mode of transport in terms of fuel cost
vi. Lower cargo movement at Vallarpadam container terminal than what was
expected from the facility.

19. SUGGESTIONS TO IMPROVE THE PERFORMANCESUGGESTIONS TO IMPROVE THE PERFORMANCE
OF RO-RO SERVICEOF RO-RO SERVICE
i. The potential opportunity for highest performance during the peak hours
(8AM-11AM & 4PM-8PM) must be utilized at the most optimal level by
attracting more customers with offers/schemes or special peak time prices .
ii. Waiting time between two consecutive services need to be brought down,
either by reducing the transit time (25 min) or by introducing an additional
Ro-Ro service, at least during the peak hours
iii. Providing refreshment stalls for the waiting trailer drivers reducing their
boredom.
iv. Advanced technological Vessels capable of rendering uninterrupted service
which is more fuel efficient and cost efficient.

20. Cont…..Cont…..
v. Concession price must be offered for regular Ro-Ro users which help in
retaining these customers
vi. Agreements may be made with the regular users. Credit facility can be made
available for these users with whom agreements have been made which can
further interest the transport operators in using the facility.
vii. Government initiatives must be taken to support the initial performance of
Ro-Ro.
viii. The Ro-Ro service lack proper marketing hence the potential users of the
Ro-Ro must be identified and made aware of the advantages of the facility
.They can be offered attractive packages for using the facility and can be made
loyal customers of the Ro-Ro facility.

21. THANK YOU….THANK YOU….