K Vasan News

Ennore Port Limited (EPL), Chennai and Ford India Private Limited have signed an agreement for export of Ford cars though the Ennore port for a period of 10 years. Speaking on the occasion the Union Minister for Shipping Shri G.K. Vasan said that this is a part of series of initiatives by the UPA government for attracting investments in the infrastructure sector, particularly in ports and automobile sectors. The agreement provides for various volume based discounts on wharfage by EPL ranging from5-30% to encourage more exports through EPL. Ford India Private Limited has set up a modern integrated manufacturing facility at Maraimalai Nagar, near Chennai, for export of their automobile products.

Union Minister for Shipping Shri G K Vasan yesterday inaugurated the Karaikal campus of the Indian Maritime University (IMU) in the Union Territory of Puducherry. To fulfill the aspirations of the youth in maritime training, education and career building, the Union government opened IMU campuses in all of the country’s maritime states. The government has already opened campuses of the University at Kandla and Cochin. A feasibility study conducted by the Ministry of Shipping concluded that new campus at Karaikal would benefit the rural youth to pursue a career in the maritime field. Speaking at the occasion, the Minister told that the efforts of the government as set out in the Maritime agenda 2020 has made the country a major supplier of the most efficient and cost effective manpower.

The Union Minister of Shipping Shri G.K. Vasan said Indian sailors, Capt. Sunil James and Shri Andi Vijayan, have been released from West African country Togo. The sailors were released this morning at 2. a.m. (Indian Standard Time) and will reportedly arrive back in India tomorrow morning. The release followed the intervention of the Prime Minister and follow-up by the External Affairs Ministry. The Minister had been intensely monitoring the progress of the release of these two sailors and the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) has been closely coordinating with the family of Capt. James and the Embassy of India in Accra, Ghana . As a gesture from the Government of India, officials from the DGS have been deputed to receive Capt. James at Mumbai and Shri Vijayan at Kochi.

Rear Admiral (ret'd) Peter Brady, Director General of the Maritime Authority of Jamaica and former chairman of the International Maritime Organization’s Standards of Training and Watchkeeping  sub-committee, was guest of honor at the 50th anniversary National Maritime celebrations in Mumbai, India. Admiral Brady joined the Honorable Union Minister of Shipping Shri G. K. Vasan and Indian Shipping Secretary Shri P. Delivering the keynote speech, he outlined the recent Manila amendments to the STCW Convention and spoke of India's important contribution towards the effort.

Concerned over piracy off the Somali coast in the Gulf of Aden, India is readying an initial 100-man team to protect its merchant vessels in the area. The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) will take on the responsibility of securing the merchant vessels, under a proposal mooted by the ministry of shipping and, as a pilot project, will train 100 of its personnel for the purpose, a government source told IANS. Currently, Indian Navy ships, among those from other nations, are deployed on escort duties for all vessels in the Gulf of Aden region but it has been felt that specific steps needed to be taken to ensure the security of Indian vessels. According to IANS, Shipping Minister G.K.

Saab, with Elcome Marine Services, successfully implements National Automatic Identification System Network in India. Saab's National Automatic Identification System (NAIS) on the Indian coast line for India’s Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships (DGLL), will also be used by Indian Navy, Coast Guard and DG Shipping. This National Automatic Information System (NAIS) provides coverage to entireIndianCoast, whereby 74 lighthouses are now fitted with the Saab systems. Automatic Identification System (AIS) provides real time merchant traffic information and the web server allows access to live data over internet. The project comprised installation of sensors and equipments along the Indian coast for regional and national control centers.

“SMM India could provide ample opportunities for useful interaction between various stakeholders and sharing of knowledge to meet the challenges of the market and make full use of the benefits and opportunities offered by the Indian shipbuilding industry,” says Dr. Satish B. Agnihotri, Director-General Shipping, Ministry of Shipping, Government of India. He is referring not only to the international shipbuilding fair, which is to be held for the second time in Mumbai under the SMM brand…

“SMM India 2011 not only provides an international platform for leading-edge maritime technologies and innovation; it also brings together the key decision makers and stakeholders from the maritime sector, especially the shipbuilding industry,” said Mr. G.K. Vasan, Hon’ble Minister of Shipping, Government of India, in his good will message in the run-up to the second SMM India in Mumbai (the inaugural SMM India was in 2009). SMM India 2011 is organised by Hamburg Messe und Congress GmbH (HMC), teaming up with the Indian partner Inter Ads Exhibitions Pvt.

According to a Feb. 5 report from The Hindu, Union Minister for Shipping, G.K. Vasan, announced a package to promote Indian shipbuilding which will be taken to the Cabinet. Underscoring the importance of the ports and the maritime sector of India, he said 40% of the country's Gross Domestic Product was linked to external trade, and the bulk of this international trade was carried through shipping. (Source: The Hindu)

According to a Jan. 14 report from The Wall Street Journal, India aims to invest $100b by 2020 to build new ports and develop its shipping industry in a bid to boost trade, Shipping Minister G.K. Vasan said. (Source: The Wall Street Journal)