Category Archives: Shipping

The 4,051 TEU XIN NAN TONG, part of COSCO Shipping Lines, on COSCO’s CI1 service had its maiden call at APM Terminals Mumbai on February 12, adding another important Far East service to India’s importers and exporters. Far East trade services comprise 62 per cent of the terminal’s throughput. Deployed mainly to serve the Far East trade with India, the CI1 service will enhance India’s regional market by calling on key ports such as Pipavav, Shanghai, Ningbo, Shekou, Nansha, Singapore and Penang. The service consists of five COSCO vessels and one from Wan Hai Shipping Line. APM Terminals Mumbai COO Ravi Gaitonde welcomed the vessel stating, “This new port call adds another choice for our customers shipping to and from the Far East. More choices create stronger supply chains and business growth – so we look forward to working closely with COSCO and Wan Hai to deliver operational excellence.”

In a recent study, it has been observed that the processes and operations across India’s ports are not standardised or uniform, while costs and time for key processes are unpredictable, also there is an unacceptable level of variation across as well as within the ports. The study titled, Port Logistics: Issues and Challenges in India, undertaken by advisory firm Dun & Bradstreet (DNB) on behalf of Niti Aayog identified the major problems faced on the ground by the end-users of ports—exporters, importers and freight forwarders. It listed five issues—port congestion, custom clearance, shipping line issues and charges, documentation and paperwork and regulatory clearances—as the major hurdles leading to detention and demurrage challenges faced by traders in.

Taking another step ahead to realize the potential of inland waterways in the country, Cochin Shipyard & United Shipbuilding Corporation, Russia has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate and engage in Design, Development and Execution of contemporary, state-of-the-art vessels for inland and coastal waterways. The massive push to water-based transport through the infrastructure development efforts under the Sagarmala programme of government will open up opportunities for specialised vessels. The MoU is an effort to get ready to cater to the demand for different kinds of vessels that is expected in the near and medium term.

The 9662 TEU capacity Maersk Salina arrived at APM Terminals Pipavav representing the first call of Maersk Line’s FM3 Service to APM Terminals Pipavav. The service links India to key markets through port calls in Tanjung Pelepas, Malaysia; Colombo, Sri Lanka; Nhava Sheva, India; Singapore and the Chinese ports of Dalian, Xingang, Qingdao, Busan, Gwangyang and Ningbo. The Maersk Salina loaded seafood, polymers, chemicals, dyes, tires etc. for export. Imports handled included home appliances, auto parts, machinery, plastic items, electrical/electronic goods and furniture. Keld Pederson, Managing Director, APM Terminals Pipavav, said, “We are persistent in our endeavour to offer best services to our customers by quick turnaround of cargos at the berth, at the yard & at the gate. The new addition by Maersk takes us one step closer in providing easy access to our customers located in north and west hinterland in India with key markets across the globe.”

The Indo-Iran Joint Business Seminar, focussing on Chabahar Port opportunities in Free Zone and Transit Corridors, was held in the capital recently to update all the stakeholders about developments happening at Chabahar port and investment opportunities available in transport and logistics sector. Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of State for Shipping, Road Transport & Highways and Chemicals & Fertilizers, Government of India spoke about the initiatives taken by the Government of India to enhance bilateral cooperation in the maritime sector. Dr. Abbas Ahmad Akhoundi, Minister of Roads and Urban Development, Islamic Republic of Iran talks about crossing corridors from Iran which connects India to the international markets, i.e. Nort-South which connects India to Russia, Caucasus & CIS, South-West which connects India to Europe and India-Iran-Afghanistan which is connecting India to Afghanistan from Chabahar (road) or from Bandar Abbas (railroad).

The Uttar Pradesh government is drafting its own logistics policy, as higher industrial activity, economic growth and the government’s recent policy decisions are triggering unprecedented growth in the sector. “With both the Eastern and the Western freight corridors and several industrial corridors passing through Uttar Pradesh, we are at a good position to take advantage of this logistics revolution which we expect to see in the next two years,” Rajiv Kumar, Chief Secretary, UP State Government. The policy will entail the establishment of at least five industrial parks across the state; the smallest with an investment of Rs 200 crore. The policy will also include various incentives for logistics players if they invest in this sector in the state.

Maersk Line has announced its intent to push for acceleration in trade in the country. In June 2017, Maersk Line moved the first-ever container shipment from Visakhapatnam to Nepal, via an exclusive block train service aptly named “Kathmandu Express”. This service offers a guaranteed fixed transit time from the load port to ICD Birgunj, just over the Nepal border. Maersk Line is the first shipping line to introduce this innovative product. Since its launch, momentum has built up quickly based on customer demand, and the company expects 5-6 block trains moving monthly from Vishakhapatnam to Birgunj.

Essar Ports has completed its investment of over Rs 2,800 crore in its Salaya and Vizag terminal projects that has the potential to increase the company’s revenues by 30 per cent in FY2018-19 on the back of third-party cargo growth. Rajiv Agarwal, CEO, Essar Ports, said, “The two fully integrated and automated facilities at Salaya and Vizag further the goal of port-led development set by the Government of India. It is also a manifestation of Essar’s vision of building world-class core sector assets of national importance.” Essar Bulk Terminal Salaya has also commenced commercial operations at its 20 million tonne dry bulk terminal at Salaya with the berthing of its first vessel.

The third edition of the India Cargo Awards – North & East celebrated the accomplishments of the cargo industry of North & East India at The Lalit, New Delhi on December 20, 2017. Salman Khurshid, former Cabinet Minister for External Affairs, former Cabinet Minister for Law and Justice and Minority Affairs, Government of India, was the Chief Guest for the distinguished evening. The ceremony saw the august presence of the leaders and runners of the cargo industry. The 39 winners were chosen after a fair and unbiased selection process which includes an online voting platform.

To offer expected time savings of 40 per cent with a 30 per cent reduction in the cost of trade, the first pilot transports under TIR (Transports Internationaux Routiers or International Road Transport) between India and Iran along International North South Transport Corridor (INSTC) have been set for early 2018 at strategic talks recently held in Mumbai. The two-day meeting gathered 20 high level representatives from India and Iran’s transport industry as well as representatives from Customs. The goal of the meeting was to discuss the implementation of TIR and to establish cooperation between representatives of the public and private sectors to activate the use of TIR along the INSTC.