Thank you very much. Madam Speaker, I am informed by the Mauritius Shipping Corporation Ltd. that following a bidding exercise carried out, a contract for drydocking of MV Mauritius Trochetia was allocated to Columbus Shipyard Public Co. Ltd. on 02 October 2024 for a sum of 1,281,178 dollars equivalent to 60 million dollars. Accordingly, the MV Mauritius Trochetia sailed for Columbus Shipyard, Sri Lanka, on 28 September 2024 and was drydocked on 07 October 2024. The drydocking and repair works of the MV Mauritius Trochetia were completed on 03 December 2024, and it left Colombo on 10 December 2024 to reach Port Louis on 17 December 2024. On 06 December 2024, the Mauritius Shipping Corporation Ltd has effected payment of USD 613,985, representing 50% of the repair cost. We will settle the 40% in March 2025 and the remaining 10% in June 2025. As regards part (b) of the question, I am informed by the Mauritius Shipping Corporation Ltd that during the last trip of Mauritius Trochetia to Agaléga, the vessel collided with a jetty on 02 February 2025 due to inadequate tug assistance, and this has caused underwater hull damage. Moreover, the above-water hull has also sustained damage due to lack of proper fenders on the jetty. Madam Speaker, regarding part (c) of the question, the Shipping Corporation Ltd. contacted Chantier Naval de l'Océan Indien for drydocking of the vessel. On Wednesday 19 February 2025, the latter has indicated that no slot is available before December 2025. On the same day, the Mauritius Shipping Corporation Ltd. contacted a company, namely Secren located in Diego Suarez, Madagascar, for permanent repair of the vessel. On 24 February 2024, Secren confirmed that its drydock would be available as from 27 February 2025. Necessary clearances have been sought from Bureau Veritas Classification Society located in France and filed administration for the vessel to sail to Madagascar. Subject to favourable reply, permanent repairs will be carried out in Madagascar and are expected to be completed in a month.

52 Madam Speaker, I am further informed that the Mauritius Shipping Corporation Ltd will put the MV Trochetia into commercial operation and to Rodrigues and Agaléga until all repairs are carried out. And I mean full repairs. As regards voyages to Rodrigues, the hon. Member can rest assured that MV Peros Banhos shall continue with its usual free regular voyages per month so as to avoid any disruption in cargo transportation. The Mauritius Shipping Corporation Ltd is currently liaising with local shipping companies for chartering a vessel to additionally service Rodrigues and Agaléga in the event of unpredictable circumstances.

Thank you, hon. Minister. CHILDREN’S ACT 2020 – AMENDMENT – JUVENILE OFFENDERS & ABUSE CASES