Category Archives: Shipping

In light of the global pandemic, the 10th Asian Logistics, Maritime and Aviation Conference (ALMAC), an annual signature event for the industries jointly organised by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), will go online for the first time. The conference will be held online on November 17-18. Themed “Capturing Opportunities Amidst Volatility”, over 40 luminaries from the logistics, maritime and aviation sectors will share their insights towards industries’ prospect and business opportunities. Running on November 17 and 18 under the theme “Capturing Opportunities Amidst Volatility”, ALMAC Online will focus on three key areas – rebuilding supply chain resilience under the new normal, Asia’s evolving role in global supply chains, and the trendsetting technologies and innovations for reinvigorating logistics operation and management – to help industries navigate through a challenging business environment. More than 40 leaders from the logistics, maritime and aviation sectors will share their insights at the event, which is expected to attract around 2,000 industry elites from 25 countries and regions. “The COVID-19 pandemic is creating significant obstacles to the global business environment, making this an unsettling year for the logistics, maritime and aviation industries. For the 10th iteration of ALMAC, we have created a brand-new online platform – the first time the HKTDC has ever staged its flagship conference online which is a new experience without geographical boundaries,” said HKTDC Deputy Executive Director Patrick Lau. “Industry representatives, professionals and stakeholders from across the globe will be able to participate and interact during the online conference. Industry leaders and experts will share their valuable experiences and strategies on supply chain resilience in the new normal and …

With easing of lockdown and revival of economy, cargo throughput at APSEZ rebounded and registered a spectacular growth. Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ) has announced its operational and financial performance for the second quarter and half year ended September 30, 2020. The growth was across segments and coasts. In the month of October’20 ports excluding Krishnapatnam Port (KPCL) handled cargo volume of 22 MMT which is a growth of 21 per cent on a year on year basis. KPCL the newest port in our portfolio handled cargo volume of 3.2 MMT. For FY21, we expect cargo throughput excluding Krishnapatnam Port to be in the range of 225-230 MMT. In addition Krishnapatnam Port is expected to handle around 20 MMT in H2 FY21. On the back of rebound in economic activities, cargo volume bounced back and registered a phenomenal growth of 36% on a QoQ basis and 7 per cent on a YoY basis. All segments of cargo registered growth on a QoQ basis. While coal registered 30 per cent growth, container grew by 34 per cent, crude by 52 per cent and other bulk cargo registered a growth of 40 per cent. Non-Mundra ports registered a growth of 28 per cent, while Mundra port grew by 40 per cent. Cargo volume at Hazira grew by 45 per cent, Kattupalli by 54 per cent and Dahej by 145 per cent. Registering double digit growth, cargo volume at Dhamra Port increased by 30 per cent on QoQ basis and 21 per cent on YoY basis. LNG and LPG which was added as part of our diversified cargo portfolio in October 2019 gained traction. In Q2 FY21, Mundra Port handled 1,42,000 …

In a bid to ensure corruption free industry, CONCOR has partnered with APM Terminals Pipavav for a webinar focused on anti-corruption in logistics industry. Jakob Friis Sorensen, Managing Director, APM Terminals Pipavav said, “This is truly one of a kind initiative where government company has partnered with Public limited company for issues surrounding anti-corruption and other compliances. At APM Terminals Pipavav, an effective compliance programme is a precursor to sustainability as we believe that anti-corruption measures are required to establish global standards and procedures to reduce illegal, unethical and improper conduct to keep industry clean. Compliance is an integral part of our business operation in sync with our parent Maersk Group where compliance is embedded part of culture.” “We are grateful to CONCOR for inviting us for this webinar and allowing us to share our insights and practices,” he adds. Entire management of CONCOR and staff members attended the webinar. The vision of A.P Moller Maersk on anti-corruption and compliance practices was well fathomed by the CONCOR group. A.P Moller Maersk believes in the need for 100% compliance in order to maintain the standard of a global company.

Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) has opened a new Centralized Parking Plaza (CPP) for container tractor trailers with Customs facilitation, as part of its efforts to promote ease of doing business. The parking plaza spread across 45 hectares has a capacity to park 1,538 tractor trailers at a time. The plaza has been built exclusively to integrate the parking of tractor trailers carrying factory stuffed export containers at one location instead of multiple locations earlier. This will help integrate document processing by Customs with state-of-the art facilities and service provision. The plaza will be managed using Real Time Parking Management system and has a Wi Fi provision within the premises. It has a dormitory for truck drivers to stay, canteen for providing food to truck drivers, well-maintained toilets, area for vehicle repair and maintenance and commercial building. “JNPT is the only port in India which has planned for a facility of this scale and CPP is a key initiative to streamline the traffic movement and improve the port efficiencies using IT services, at the same time provide convenience facilities and amenities at very nominal rates to truck drivers who travel long distances to reach the Port. The Centralized Parking Plaza is an important part of our constant endeavour to provide the ease of doing business within the Port,’’ Sanjay Sethi, IAS, Chairman, JNPT said during a visit to the plaza today along with senior officials to oversee the functioning of the new facility.

Ministry of Shipping has issued the draft of Coastal Shipping Bill, 2020 for suggestions from the stakeholders and general public. As the shipping sector grows and evolves in the country, a need was felt to have a separate legislation on coastal shipping, which considers it an integral part of the transport chain and recognises the policy priorities of the sector to meet the demands of the Indian shipping industry. While drafting this Bill, the global best practices have also been considered. The Ministry of Shipping has drafted a Coastal Shipping Bill, 2020 in lieu of part XIV of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958. Some of the highlights of the Bill are as under: The definition of coastal shipping and coastal waters has been expanded; It is proposed to do away with the requirement of trading licence for Indian flag vessels for coastal trade; The Bill seeks to create a competitive environment and reduce transportation costs, while encouraging Indian vessels to increase their share in coastal shipping; The Bill also proposes integration of coastal maritime transport with inland waterways; and there is a provision for a National Coastal and Inland Shipping Strategic Plan.

Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge), says, “A coastal shipping Bill which is expected to be tabled in Parliament will see an increase in the demand for manufacturing of inland vessels. “We are bringing a separate Bill in Parliament in the coming days to promote coastal shipping. So that coastal movement and transportation increases,” informs Mandaviya while speaking at the foundation stone-laying ceremony of the Konkan Maritime Cluster, first such project in the country for building maritime industry-related infrastructure. The Union Minister lamented that India was lagging behind in shipbuilding globally. He also said that his Ministry was geared towards making the shipbuilding sector more competitive in the international market. “Why are we not moving ahead in the shipbuilding sector? First, we are not competitive in the international market; second, there is no domestic demand. How do we increase domestic demand and become more competitive in the international market?” Mandaviya asked, adding that a thrust on coastal shipping will encourage domestic demand. “This will see an increase in the demand for inland vessels and through increase in coastal movement, demand for coastal shipping will also increase,” Mandaviya also said.

In pursuance of ‘Make in India’ policy of the Government of India, Ministry of Shipping has reviewed the ROFR (Right of First Refusal) licensing conditions for chartering of vessels/Ships through tender process for all types of requirements. In a major boost to shipbuilding in India, the government has amended existing norms and now the first priority in chartering of vessels will be given to ships built and flagged in India as well as owned by Indians, Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said. “To boost shipbuilding activities in India, the Ministry of Shipping has amended Right of First Refusal (ROFR) licensing conditions. Now, it has been decided that for any kind of charter of a vessel undertaken through a tender process, the first priority for RoFR would be given to Indian built, Indian flagged and Indian owned vessels,” Shipping Minister Mandaviya. The second priority will be given to foreign built, Indian flagged and Indian-owned vessels while the third priority will be given to Indian built, foreign flagged and foreign-owned ships, he said and termed the policy change a “bold step” in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi”s vision to promote the domestic industry. “India mostly handles four types of EXIM cargo – crude, gas, coal and fertiliser. Government of India floats tenders for bringing these from foreign. So far Indian flags were given priority in tender irrespective of where the ship is built. Now we have changed that in addition to Indian flag it should be ‘Made in India’. Government PSUs used to give priority to Indian flags till now but now Indian make has also been included,” Mandaviya said. The ministry has already disbursed an amount of Rs 61.05 crore till …

Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of State for Shipping, Government of India has e-launched the indigenous software solution for Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) and Vessels Traffic Monitoring Systems (VTMS) in the capital. Following the development, Mandaviya emphasises that indigenous system is the requirement of the country instead because there is no need to rely on high costing foreign made software solutions for traffic managements of the Indian Ports. He said that aligning with the vision of ‘Aatma Nirbhar Bharat’ of Prime Minster Narendra Modi, ‘Made in India’ VTS and VTMS software will pave the way for ‘Make for the world’ vessel traffic management systems. VTS and VTMS are software which determines vessel positions, position of other traffic or meteorological hazard warnings and extensive management of traffic within a port or waterway. Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) contribute to safety of life at sea, safety and efficiency of navigation and protection of the marine environment, adjacent shore areas, work sites and offshore installations from possible adverse effects of maritime traffic. Vessels Traffic Management Systems are installed in some of the busiest waters in the world, and are making valuable contribution to safer navigation, more efficient traffic flow, and protection of the environment. Traffic flow in busy approach routes, access channels, and harbours can be coordinated safely, in the best interest of port and its users. Incidents and emergency situations can be dealt with quickly. Data from traffic movements can be stored and used as reference information for port administration, port authorities, coastguards and search and rescue services. VTMS is mandatory under IMO Convention SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea). The VTMS traffic image is compiled and collected by means of advanced sensors such as …

According to the Indian Ports Association (IPA), thermal coal imports dropped 23.24 per cent to 34.52 million tonnes (MT) during April-September, while coking coal shipments fell 28.04 per cent to 20.89 MT. Coal volumes at the 12 major ports declined for the sixth straight month in September 2020, the association informs. These ports had handled 44.98 MT of thermal coal and 29.03 MT of coking coal in April-September period of the previous financial year. Together, thermal and coking coal handling saw a decline of 25.13 per cent at these ports in the April-September period at 55.41 MT, the IPA, which maintains cargo data handled by these ports, said in its latest report. Thermal coal is the mainstay of India’s energy programme as 70 per cent of power generation is dependent on the dry fuel, while coking coal is used mainly for steel making. India is the third-largest producer of coal after China and the US, and has 299 billion tonnes of resources and 123 billion tonnes of proven reserves, which may last for over 100 years. In the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak, sharp declines were also witnessed in handling of containers, coal and POL (petroleum, oil and lubricant) among other commodities. The 12 ports witnessed considerable decline in cargo traffic, registering a 14 per cent dip in the first half of the current fiscal to 298.55 million tonnes (MT) as against 348.23 MT during April-September of the last fiscal. Mansukh Mandaviya, Shipping Minister last month said cargo traffic at 12 major ports declined considerably March onwards, adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. India has 12 major ports under the control of the central government — Deendayal (erstwhile Kandla), Mumbai, …

The Union Shipping Ministry has extended the current concessional rate of 40 per cent discount on cargo movement between India and Chabahar Port in Iran for a period of one year. The discount will apply for the coastal movement of cargo and vessel related charges, being handled at Jawaharlal Nehru Port and Deendayal Port to Shahid Beheshti Port, Chabahar. The levy of concessional vessel related charges is to be applied proportionately, subject to vessel loading at least 5,000 tonnes cargo to Shahid Beheshti Port. The ports in coordination with Indian Ports Global Limited will jointly evolve a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to ensure that discounts are given to cargo actually discharged or loaded at Shahid Beheshti Terminal of Chabahar Port. According to the Ministry, the aim of the extension of discount period is to promote the trade through Shahid Beheshti Port. It will also give a boost to coastal movement of cargo.