SCI onto Gujarat Coastal & Exim Container Trades

 

The Shipping Corporation of India Ltd. (SCI), a Government of India Enterprise, hosted an interactive session on Coastal & Exim container trades of Gujarat on 9th October, 2014 at Courtyard Marriott, Ahmedabad.

Shri Arun Kumar Gupta, Chairman and Managing Director of SCI, Capt. B.B. Sinha, Director (Personnel & Administration) of SCI, Capt. Sarveen Narula, Director- Liner & Passenger Services Division of SCI and other senior officials of the company were present at the meet.

Shri Arun Kumar Gupta, CMD, SCI, while commencing his speech with “ Customers Devo Bhav “, thanked all the distinguished Guests for attending the Meet and said that SCI looks forward to continued support and more co-operation. He further gave a brief introduction of the company as the National Shipping Line and said that SCI is the only Indian Shipping Company in India in to the Mainline Liner trade as well in several other segments of shipping.

Mr. Gupta further focused that India has seen a big change in political system in the recent past and expressed that he is confident and hoping that the new Government will definitely support the shipping industry of India. He informed the trade that “We came here to understand your needs and accordingly offer you our services” and assured the gathering that SCI will plan such kind of trade meet frequently.

Capt. Narula, Director, SCI, in his speech first thanked the trade for supporting SCI and expressed his gratitude for lots of support from Gujarat specially from coastal cargo operators in the recent years. He further gave a nice presentation and focused on ISES, IPAK, SMILE, INDFEX and MYANMAR Services offered by SCI on container Liner trade. He further emphasized on Myanmar-Yangon service launched recently. He also requested trade to support on ISES service offered for European sectors.

Capt. Narula also declared SCI plans to launch Sub Smile service for coastal trade which will call on Hazira –Nhava Sheva- Mundra ports and run between these routes with a basic idea to link up Gujarat with Nhava Sheva in Mumbai for coastal and exim coastal movement. SCI has SMILE Service which currently offers Coastal Service from Gujarat’s Mundra, Pipavav ports to Cochin & Tuticorin ports in south. He further added that SCI also offers movement of break-bulk cargo

on space charter basis. He also said that SCI has the capabilities to move unconventional cargo to any ports in the World.

Mr. Samir Shah, Partner, JBS Group of Companies also spoke on the occasion and appreciated SCI plans to connect Hazira & Mundra port of Gujarat with Nhava Sheva via coastal service. He further suggested to create more awareness about coastal service as new possibilities of moving cargo in India via sea routes exist but presently there is not much awareness of movement coastal cargo among the traders in Gujarat as well as in cities of Northern India.

Mr. Rajendra Pala, General Manager, CKB Group sought for more services from SCI as being a National Carrier of India services offered by SCI are very limited. He further demanded SCI to start USA service. He also suggested SCI authorities to offer more and more services to compete with foreign liner.

Mr. Ashish Bose of JNPT gave a brief introduction of JNPT and explained about their future plans of new berths and 4th Container Terminal and other developments.

A very interesting interactive session of Question – Answers was held just after the speeches which revealed the many difficulties faced by coastal operators and liner trade in movement of cargo due to Customs procedures, Taxation and lack of facilities. Trade members asked many questions to SCI authorities and suggested them to take up the matter with the Ministry of Shipping, Govt. of India and pursue them to minimize and simplify Customs procedures, To reduce Service Tax levies on Coastal Cargo and to provide proper Infrastructure and Rail facilities which can further boost the shipping trade in Gujarat as well in India.

The meet was very well attended by leading Custom Brokers, Concor Officials, Freight Forwarders, Exporters & Importers with few eminent personalities of the trade.