Saravanan's Blog

Source: http://www.sagarsandesh.com/news/incoherent-policies-of-tamil-nadu-maritime-board-take-state-backwards-warns-analysts/ Experts in Maritime sector think that the Tamil Nadu Maritime Board’s (TMB)’s incoherent policies for developing minor ports could push the developed state backwards in providing sea connectivity to other countries.   According to sources, the willful backpedalling by the TMB from strongly concentrating on developing minor ports has put question marks over the growth of the very important sector in Tamil Nadu in future against the systematic growth of them in Gujarat (West Coast) and neighbouring states like Andhra Pradesh and Odisha in East Coast. Experts also pointed out that despite  the state-controlled maritime board’s plan for  developing over 15 minor ports as well as captive ports in Tamil Nadu for years, only three of them were actually materialized in recent times. Speaking to Sagar Sandesh on condition of anonymity, a sen...

Source: http://www.crisisgroup.org/ Myanmar’s military, the Tatmadaw , has been the dominant institution in the country for most of its post-independence history.  Picture courtesy:  www.dailymail.co.uk After decades of military rule, it began the shift to a semi-civilian government. A new generation of leaders in the military and in government pushed the transition far further and much faster than anyone could have imagined . Major questions remain, however, about the Tatmadaw’s intentions, its ongoing involvement in politics and the economy, and whether and within what timeframe it will accept to be brought under civilian control. Transforming from an all-powerful military to one that accepts democratic constraints on its power will be an enormous challenge. The Tatmadaw’s institutional perspective is heavily influenced by its role in Myanmar’s anti-colonial struggle – the leaders of which founded the military – and its early post-independence experience....

Source: IMO T he International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh have signed a landmark agreement to work together to improve safety and environmental standards in the country’s ship-recycling industry . A Memorandum of Understandingformalizing the cooperation between the two was signed by Mr Nicolaos Charalambous, Director, Technical Cooperation Division, IMO and Mr Md. Ashadul Islam, Additional Secretary, Economic Relations Division of the Ministry of Finance of the Government of Bangladesh, on 10 April 2014. IMO and Bangladesh will jointly implement a project entitled “Safe and Environmentally Sound Ship Recycling in Bangladesh – Phase I”. With an annual gross tonnage capacity of more than 8.8 million, the Bangladeshship recycling industry is one of the world’s most important, second only to neighbouring India in terms of volume. The project, aimed at improving standards and sustainability within the industry ,will consi...

Source: www.ictsi.com International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) is partnering with the Government of Iraq to invest in Umm Qasr Port, facilitating the unlocking of Iraq’s enormous economic potential by building the country’s port facilities of the future. According to a media statement from the company, ICTSI will operate and expand container and general cargo facilities in the port. Pic courtesy:http://www.iraq-businessnews.com/ Phase 1 of the Umm Qasr expansion would include a new 200 meter quay wall and storage yard, with a capacity of 300,000 TEUs.   At full build, the facility would have 600 meters of quay and a 900,000 TEU capacity, the release further revealed. Furthermore, ICTSI has been mandated to operate and manage the existing container terminal on Umm Qasr’s Berth 20 under the agreement. Initial investments are expected to exceed USD130 million . Commenting on the new partnership, Mr Enrique K. Razon Jr., ICTSI chairman and president...

Source: http://www.sagarsandesh.com/news/piracy-and-sea-robbery-summit-sets-target-on-emerging-challenges/ Pic courtesy: AdvanFort The Piracy and Sea Robbery Conference 2014, the sixth event in the series that was held in conjunction with the Singapore Maritime Week, jointly organised by the ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre (ISC), the Baltic and International Maritime Council (BIMCO), International Association of Independent Tanker Owners (INTERTANKO) and  S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), was held in Singapore on April 8 with the theme — Piracy and Sea Robbery: Emerging Challenges. According to a joint Media statement released after the event, the aim of this conference was to provide a platform for all to be apprised of the latest trends and assessments of piracy and sea robbery situation in Asia in 2014 that included sharing of case studies for best management practices and lessons learned, and to express views on the current situation and...

Source: http://www.sagarsandesh.com/news/china-shipping-group-company-chairman-honoured/ Mr. Xu Lirong, Chairman of China Shipping (Group) Company, was honoured with the Seatrade Personality of the Year award at the 7th Seatrade Asia Awards held in Singapore on April 7.   Just over 350 top shipping executives from the local and regional shipping community gathered at the glittering ceremony, where 16 awards were presented in total . Commenting on the honour, Mr. Chris Hayman, Chairman of Seatrade , said: “ Mr. Xu is an outstanding leader in China’s shipping industry, with extensive experience in container shipping and corporate management and a strong commitment to corporate social responsibility.” Besides, Mr. Patrick Phoon, President of the Singapore Shipping Association and Deputy MD of Evergreen Shipping Agency (Singapore) Pte Ltd., was presented with the Seatrade Lifetime Achievement Award.   “Seatrade is delighted to recognise the achievements and dedicati...

Source:http://www.sagarsandesh.com/news/governor-lauds-indias-growing-role-in-ship-management-solutions/ senior mariner Capt Syed Yousuf Shah being felicitated by  Tamil Nadu Governor Dr K Rosaiah during  the 51 st  National Maritime Day Celebrations, organised in Chennai on April 5. Indians play an important part in providing third party ship management solutions to the ship owners, Tamil Nadu Governor Dr. K. Rosaiah has said.  Delivering the special address at the 51st National Maritime Day celebrations, organised in Chennai on April 5, he said: “ It is heartening to note that global shipping is increasingly relying on India as a favoured source of its current and future seafarer demand.” Dr. Rosaiah stated: “Providing the strongest foundation for building high standards of skills, initiatives, professionalism and leadership skills is required. Enhancing ocean management, ports, logistics, shipbuilding, supply chain management, personnel recruitment and s...

Source: NMPT Strongly cementing its position as one of the fast growing major ports in the country, New Mangalore Port in Karnataka has clocked a cargo throughput of 39.36 million tonnes during 2013-14 financial year period. According to NMPT sources, the West coast port, which has been maintaining its positive growth in a sustained manner over the past few years, has recorded 6.29 percent growth over last financial year cargo throughput. It may be noted here that in 2 012-13 period, NMPT has handled about 37.04 million tonnes of cargo, which includes both breakbulk and containerized cargo. While imports for the period  (2013-14) remained 29.31 million tonnes,  about 10.04 million tonnes of cargo, both in breakbulk and containers, were exported in the same period via NMPT. Though the West Coast’s fast growing major port has enough captive cargoes like crude, LPG, edible oil, coal, fertilizer and cement given the close proximity to various industrious clusters ...

Source: http://www.maerskpress.com/ Maersk Group and NorSea Group have agreed on the sale of Danbor's core business activities in logistics and services for the wind and oil and gas industries. According to a Maersk media statement released on April 2, the sale from Maersk to NorSea Group is expected to be completed by April 30.  NorSea Group has a strong position in the market for logistics and services to the Norwegian oil and gas industries, but also has offices in Scotland and Australia. The acquisition of Danbor means the company can now serve customers in all parts of the North Sea.  Commenting on the development, Mr John Stangeland, CEO of NorSea Group, said, " International expansion is part of NorSea Group's stated strategy. Danbor is an established and solid company in our core business and fits in well with the other companies that form part of the NorSea Group. NorSea Group sees many similarities between the companies and great opportunities to create ...