Guwahati’s Pandu Port Implements Balloon-And-Winch Vessel Drydocking For Inland Waterways

Guwahati’s Pandu Port has marked a milestone by becoming the first such facility in India's inland water transport sector to carry out vessel drydocking using an innovative balloon-and-winch method.

The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) confirmed that the operation, conducted under the inspection and technical guidance of the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS), is expected to significantly reduce both time and costs in vessel maintenance.

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The breakthrough technique replaces traditional drydock facilities and cranes with winches to haul vessels ashore and balloons to secure them in position. This streamlined approach enables faster inspection, cleaning, and repair of hulls and underwater components, allowing vessels to resume operations sooner.

According to reports, IWAI highlighted that the method will enhance operational efficiency on the Brahmaputra and its connected routes, improving service reliability for both cargo and passenger transport.

By lowering maintenance turnaround times, it also offers a cost-effective alternative to conventional drydocking, strengthening the competitiveness of inland waterways against road and rail freight.

The IRS ensured that the process adhered to safety and operational standards, providing inspection and engineering recommendations.

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