Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways is inviting public consultation on its plan to introduce floating jetties along the coastline. The ministry has compiled the draft guidelines for technical specifications of floating structures. A press release states that the vision is “to set up and deploy world-class floating infrastructure all along the coastline”. The draft guidelines can be accessed on the link: http://shipmin.gov.in/sites/default/files/proforma_guidelines.pdf for which suggestions can be e-mailed to sagar.mala@nic.in by 11 November 2020. Proposed benefits. The ministry is encouraging floating structures because it says they have “inherent advantages” and are an “attractive solution”. According to the ministry, the following list points to the benefits of a floating jetty over conventional quay and fixed concrete structures: ·         It is a cost-effective solution and much cheaper than conventional structures price. ·         Setting up of floating structures is much faster as compared to conventional jetties. Usually, floating structures can be built in 6-8 months as compared to 24 months for conventional structures. ·          Its environmental impact is minimal. ·         Expansions are easily feasible due to modular construction techniques. ·         It is easily transportable in case of reconfiguring of the port. ·          It provides constant freeboard between jetties and boats. “Deployment of floating jetties, especially in locations having a large tidal range, where conventional quay poses problems during low tide periods, is very convenient,” the ministry says. “Floating Jetties, at such locations, provide constant freeboard, eases embarkation of ship’s stores and straightforward unloading of the fishermen’s catch. It consequently leads to increased productivity as well as safety of the fishermen in the long run.” Pilot projects. The ministry has successfully implemented pilot projects in the recent past by following the international guiding principles. These include ·         Passenger floating jetties in Goa ·         Water-aerodromes at Sabarmati River and at Sardar Sarovar Dam (for the seaplane services) More than 80 similar projects of the Ministry are in the planning stage along the coastline. Tech specs. The ministry says it is trying to set benchmarks and standard specifications at par with international standards. Technical specifications of floating structures can then be frozen after due deliberations with various stakeholders. For this, Ministry has entrusted IIT Chennai to work out the technical specifications of sustainable floating structures like floating jetties, water-aerodromes, floating marinas, fish landing facilities etc. so that precise and stringent technical specifications are established. The draft guidelines along with proposed Specifications / Schedule of Technical Requirements (SOTR) are issued for seeking the feedback and suggestions from the public.