KICT honoured as Fastest Growing Terminal in 2018-19

GANDHIDHAM: Kandla International Container Terminal (KICT) has received an award in the ‘Fastest Growing Terminal’ category for 2018-19 at the 33rd Deendayal Port Trust (DPT) Awards held on October 5, 2019 at the Gandhidham Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Gujarat. On behalf of KICT and the J. M. Baxi Group, the award was received by Mr Amardeep Singh Parmar, Terminal Head of KICT from Mr Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of State for Shipping (Independent Charge) and Union Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilisers, informed a release. 

 

A total of 43 port users were recognised and awarded for their contribution towards making Deendayal Port the numero uno Major Port for the 

12th consecutive year by handling 115.40 million tonnes of cargo during 2018-19.

 

Along with Mr Mansukh Mandaviya, others who graced the occasion were DPT Chairman, Mr Sanjay Mehta, IFS; Director, Ministry of Shipping, 

Mr Arvind Chaudhary, MP; Mr Vinod Chawda, MLA; Ms Maltiben Maheshwari; Mr Vasanbhai Ahir; Gandhidham Municipality President, 

Mr Kanjibhai Bharya; Kandla Timber Association Head, Mr Navnit R. Gajjar, and other leading members of the trade, the release added.

Höegh Autoliners transport critical Breakbulk cargo from Mumbai to Ghana

MUMBAI: When critical equipment needed to be transported urgently from Mumbai for an infrastructure project in Ghana, OM Freight Forwarders chose Höegh Autoliners’ unbeatable direct liner service and experience in transporting breakbulk cargo. Recently Höegh Autoliners India was presented an opportunity to transport equipment and track laying machines that would be used in the development of a rail network from Tema to Akosomba. 

 

The challenge posed was that the customer needed one hundred sensitive breakbulk units to be shipped urgently for a project deadline.

 

Unbeatable liner service

With the customer’s strict time constraints, Höegh Autoliners’ regular and direct liner service from India to Africa offered the most competitive transit time in the market. In addition, with a fixed departure time, it meant the customer could plan and prepare their cargo for transportation in advance.

Capt. Atuldutt Sharma of Höegh Autoliners India says; With the equipment being an essential part of the project, the customer could not afford any delays. Höegh’s India to Africa service offered the best possible transit time of 25 days from Mumbai to Tema, which ensured the customer keep to their tight deadline. 

 

Dependable equipment

Transporting sensitive equipment like this is a precise operational process that requires experienced personnel and dependable equipment. 

The cargo handling team were put to the test, when the shipment consisting of 100 breakbulk pieces of varying sizes and shapes, needed to be transported on the same vessel. Using Höegh’s diverse fleet of rolltrailers, the team devised a plan to strategically place the 100 breakbulk units on 15 select rolltrailers. This ensured all units fit inside the vessel, and would reach the destination in time for the project

Mr. Vishal Joshi, OM Freight Forwarders says; We were extremely pleased with Höegh’s professional team that provided a customised solution for our shipment. With the competitive transit time offered, and equipment provided on such short notice, Höegh ensured our critical cargo reached its destination on time.

 

Safer with RoRo

By rolling the cargo on and off the vessel, it eliminates the need for crane lifts in both load and discharge port. This reducing the risk of damage to the cargo and ensures a safer operation.  Once inside the vessel, the rolltrailers are secured to designated lashing points underdeck, safeguarding the sensitive equipment from humidity or seawater.

 

Atuldutt continues; Keeping to the customer’s deadline, the cargo was safely transported on board Höegh Amsterdam ready for its journey to Tema. These types of breakbulk shipments demonstrate how our dedicated Breakbulk Team around the world, in their quest for excellence offer our customers timely, reliable, safe, professional and cost effective services, said a company release.

IMF sees Indian economic growth rebounding to 7 % next fiscal

GENEVA: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) sees Indian economic growth rebounding to around 7 per cent in the next financial year, supported by measures like monetary policy stimulus and corporate income tax cuts. We see the Indian economy rebounding from our projected 6.1 per cent growth this fiscal year to something like 7 per cent in the next fiscal year (2020). We see the factors that will support growth, including monetary policy stimulus, working their way through the pipeline, Jonathan Ostry, Deputy Director, Asia Pacific Department at the IMF, told reporters.

 

The recent tax cuts, Government's progress in addressing lingering weaknesses in the financial sector and measures to support growth sectors as seen as factors underpinning growth in the near term, Ostry said.

 

Talking about the slowdown in Indian economy in recent quarters, he said: indeed (it) took many of us by surprise, including the IMF.

"There wasn't a single cause for the slowdown there were many different causes at work including corporate and regulatory environmental uncertainties, the stresses in the non-bank financial sector, (and) stresses in the rural sector, among others," he said.

Indian Register of Shipping receives RO authorisation from Denmark October 24 , 2019

MUMBAI: The Danish Maritime Authority (DMA) has approved the application by the Indian Register of Shipping (IRClass) for authorisation as a “Recognised Organisation” (RO).

Seeking RO status from key maritime flags is part of IRClass’ strategy to expand its presence in Europe. The company already has offices in the UK, Greece, the Netherlands and Turkey with plans to expand its business in other Northern European countries.

 

With the addition of this high-quality flag, IRClass is now approved by 44 leading flag administrations globally. Having secured EU approval in 2016, IRClass has been authorised earlier by flag administrations like Malta, Cyprus, Netherlands, Bulgaria and are in the process of seeking approval from other key maritime flags in Europe.

 

In a letter to IRClass the DMA stated: “We are fully convinced that IRClass is a qualified and competent organization capable of providing professional services for our Danish shipping industry. The agreement will further strengthen the maritime ties between India and Denmark.”

“IRClass is proud to have been formally recognised as a “Recognised Organisation” by the DMA. This enables us to offer our classification services to Danish flagged vessels and further enhances our reputation in the European market as a trustworthy classification society with a commitment to provide prompt and value-added services to European shipowners,” said Mr PK Mishra, Vice President & Regional Manager (EU) for IRClass.

 

The DMA letter concluded by stating that: We look forward to establishing a sound working relationship with IRClass and will seize future opportunities for direct technical cooperation with your distinguished classification society.”

India bans single-use plastics on Ships in its Waters

NEW DELHI: India has decided to ban single-use plastics on ships sailing in its waters, effective immediately. According to Directorate General of Shipping, plastics including cutlery, plates and cups, are prohibited on board Indian ships and foreign ships when in India.

The current ban includes other plastics, such as bottles, bags and dispensing containers for cleaning fluids. India also announced that, with effect from January 1, 2020, additional single-use plastics would be added to the list.

Over the years, India has actively collaborated in the work of the UNEP, including for the prevention of marine pollution. The Directorate General of Shipping cited International Maritime Organization as saying that marine litter “presents a huge problem in our oceans,” with some scientists warning that, by 2050, the quantity of plastics in the oceans could outweigh fish.

The Country opted for the ban in order to avoid future pollution through non-responsible manner of single-use plastics disposal.

India-US trade: Contours of a deal almost final, says Piyush Goyal October 24 , 2019

NEW DELHI: In a clear sign that India and the US are close to finding common ground on their outstanding trade issues that started looking intractable, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal recently said here that the two sides “have almost resolved the broad contours” of an imminent deal in this regard. He even hinted at a “much larger engagement between the two countries in the days ahead”, hinting at the possibility of a larger bilateral trade agreement, following the limited deal on the immediate horizon.

 

This is perhaps the first time New Delhi is making it unambiguously clear that the differences between the two sides on a host of trade issues have indeed narrowed down. A limited deal was expected to be announced when Prime Minister Narendra Modi met US President Donald Trump on Sept. 24 

 

but that was not to be, as both sides practically stuck to their positions. India’s exports to the US, its largest market, touched $52.4 billion in 2018-19, while imports were to the tune of $35.5 billion. Its trade surplus with the US has been shrinking in the past two years, as it has stated importing oil and gas from the largest economy, something that India has been highlighting. According to the US Government data, New Delhi’s trade surplus with Washington eased to $21.3 billion in 2018 from $22.9 billion in 2017. In contrast, China’s trade surplus with the US widened further to a record $419.2 billion last year from $375.6 billion in 2017, despite the tariff war between the top two economies.

On the 16-nation Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), Goyal said that the government would protect the interests of domestic industry before entering into the proposed mega free-trade pact, which is in the last phase of negotiations.

PICT handles its First Concor Container Movement October 24 , 2019

PARADIP: The first Concor Container train movement took place from Paradip International Cargo Terminal (PICT) on dock rail siding for our esteemed customer Jindal Stainless Steel Ltd on 6th October 2019. 

 

A detailed advance planning / coordination in terms of necessary approvals pertaining to siding inclusion, Railway Receipt (RR) generation, 

etc was well coordinated by 'PICT marketing & railway liaisoning team', finally with smooth rake handling within free time, by PICT operations team, ensured overall a happy customer experience, especially for the reputed corporates involved namely JSL and CONCOR.

The rake was loaded with 44 TEUs of Quick Lime and 46 TEUs of Scrap.