BSN Network / Mumbai
Monday, March 08, 2010

This was the message sent out by the stalwarts of maritime industry. Shipping is inward looking, a constituency that largely confines to itself. They make presentations about their needs, but a lot more needs to be done. These were the thoughts expressed by Shipping Secretary, Mr K. Mohandas.

This was the message sent out by the stalwarts of maritime industry. Shipping is inward looking, a constituency that largely confines to itself. They make presentations about their needs, but a lot more needs to be done. These were the thoughts expressed by Shipping Secretary, Mr K. Mohandas.

To get the right policy statements a lot more has to be done said Mr. K. Mohandas while speaking at an international conference on Shipping, Marine & Ports.

Mr. D.T. Joseph who has been underscoring the need for a maritime constituency reiterated his stand saying there is a need for a body to stand up for the maritime sector.

Citing historical examples China, S. Korea, Iran Mr. M.P. Pinto pointed out that they expanded investment during downturns suggesting this was the right time to expand. The question how do we do it? Private investment is not flowing in while we still have a long way to go in port sector. He raised questions about why do we need Model Concession Agreement? Why should the tariff be fixed when we are following cost plus model?

One thing was apparent, different voices needed to be channeled in to a single loud and clear message of what the maritime sector sought.