the supply of goods during the festive season in Rodrigues, he will, for the benefit of the House, obtain fr…
(No. B/17) Mr J. Edouard (Fourth Member for Rodrigues) asked the Minister of Agro Industry, Food Security, Blue Economy and Fisheries whether, in regard to the supply of goods during the festive season in Rodrigues, he will, for the benefit of the House, obtain from the Mauritius Shipping Corporation Ltd., information as to whether consideration will be given for the increase in the number of trips of the vessel Peros Banhos to Rodrigues during the month of December 2024.
Thank you very much, hon. Member. With your permission, Madam Speaker, I will reply to both Parliamentary Questions I B/4 and I B/17 as they relate to the same subject matter. Madam Speaker, I am informed that as of now, the Mauritius Shipping Corporation Ltd. is operating with only one vessel, the Peros Banhos, which takes around 260 containers to Rodrigues per trip. For the peak period between October and December for the year 2023, the Mauritius Shipping Corporation Ltd. shipped a total of 2,013 containers. For the same period this year, the Mauritius Shipping Corporation Ltd. has already shipped 1,512
35 containers as at 30 November 2024 with 510 containers forecasted to be shipped on the remaining two verges in December which will make a total of 2,022 containers. Madam Speaker, notwithstanding what my colleague, the Minister of Commerce and Consumer Protection, has stated in relation to petroleum products and of course we take onboard valuable suggestions made by distinguished honourable members from Rodrigues, let me say that as regards the shipment of petroleum products to Rodrigues, 14 tanktainers were shipped to Rodrigues in the last verge, and it is planned to ship 16 tanktainers on each of the next two verges to Rodrigues. With the above shipment of goods and petroleum products, it is expected that there will not be any shortage thereof in Rodrigues. However, of course, we have to err on the side of caution, and it is precisely why I am going to inform the House that the MV Trochetia, which went for dry docking, will come back on 16 December 2024, and additional trips can be arranged to Rodrigues if ever the need is felt.
Now, I will call the Third Member for Port Louis and Port Louis Central, Dr. Aumeer! COVID-19 PANDEMIC – DIALYSIS PATIENTS’ DEATH – FACT-FINDING COMMITTEE REPORT