Madam Speaker, I am informed by the Mauritius Ports Authority and the Cargo Handling Corporation Ltd that representations have been made in writing on 20 August and 10 September 2025 and also verbally on a few occasions by the Mauritius Export Association and the Mauritius Chamber of Commerce and Industry, on behalf of their members regarding delays in the delivery of containers, thus impacting on the business community. Such delays occur mainly after adverse weather conditions, during which container handling operations are suspended for safety and security reasons. The operations of the Cargo Handling Corporation Ltd are further affected through the shortage of Rubber Tyred Gantry Crane Operators and insufficient Ship-to-Shore Cranes. The Corporation has presently five such cranes which are already operating at full capacity. I wish to inform the House that three out of the eight Ship-to-Shore Cranes having reached the end of their economic useful lives, were removed from operations since February 2023 and were not replaced. These factors slow down vessel performance and affect productivity negatively. Owing to these delays, 10 container vessels carrying a total of 4,396 import containers, skipped their calls at Port Louis Harbour for the period June to August 2025, and this has repercussions on the local market. These ships have been diverted to other regional ports and the containers ultimately reached Port Louis with significant delays ranging from four to eight weeks. To address this issue, the Mauritius Ports Authority had a meeting on 22 August 2025, with the Cargo Handling Corporation Ltd, the Mauritius Export Association, the Mauritius

28 Chamber of Commerce and Industry as well as the Shipping Lines to identify and implement remedial actions. Consequently, the situation has improved with all diverted containers reaching Port Louis albeit with some delays; but not such long delays. Madam Speaker, to further improve its services, Cargo Handling Corporation Ltd has started the training of 32 employees as Rubber Tyred Gantry Operators since last month. In addition, the Government of India is providing, free of cost, a Cargo Handling Equipment Training Simulator for hands-on training. The Government of India would concurrently depute a technical expert for a period of two years for the training of operators. Delivery of the Simulator is expected by the end of this year. Madam Speaker, in reply to Parliamentary Question B/471 at our Sitting of 13 May 2025, the House was informed that to enhance efficiency and competitiveness, the Cargo Handling Corporation Ltd was proceeding with the implementation of its Business Plan at the cost of Rs5.3 billion with the acquisition of state-of-the-art equipment, implementation of green initiatives, capacity building and digitalisation of operations. This plan is being implemented in two phases and the first phase, over a period of two years, comprises the acquisition of the following cargo handling equipment at the cost of Rs2.77 billion to be financed by the Corporation’s own funds – (a) acquisition of two Super Post Panamax Ship-to-Shore Cranes; (b) acquisition of five hybrid Rubber-Tyred Gantry Cranes, and (c) procurement of 15 Tractors and Trailers and other associated yard equipment. Action is also being taken by the Central Procurement Board for the floating of international tenders. As regards the second phase, I wish to inform the House that, the Government of India has extended a grant for the acquisition of port equipment by the Cargo Handling Corporation Ltd to the tune of Rs3.3 billion which would include the procurement of one Super Post- Panamax crane, eight Rubber Tyred Gantry cranes and other associated yard equipment. In this context, the Ministry of Finance is in the process of signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of India. As I have stated in the House, Madam Speaker, a total revamping of the port and other infrastructure to support maritime economic activities is being envisaged. In this context,

29 following my State visit to India last September, the Indian Authorities have agreed, in principle, on the strategic side, for the redevelopment and restructuring of Port in Mauritius.

Thank you. Yes, Dr. Aumeer. ROAD ACCIDENTS – IMPAIRED DRIVERS – VALID LICENSE HOLDERS