Japan car major Nissan inks 10-year accord with Ennore Port

Source:http://www.sagarsandesh.com/news/jap-car-major-nissan-inks-10-year-accord-with-ennore-port/

Mr M.A. Bhaskarachar, CMD, EPL (second from left), and Mr Kenichiro Yomura, Managing Director and CEO, NMIPL, exchanging documents of the agreement in the presence of G.K. Vasan, Union Shipping Minister, in Chennai, on July 20. Mr Atulya Misra, Chairman, Chennai Port Trust (extreme left) and Mr. N. Muruganandam, Joint Secretary (Ports), Ministry of Shipping, (extreme right) also seen.

After utilizing the facilities of Ennore Port for the past three years for exporting its cars to different countries through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), Japanese car major Nissan on July 20 inked a 10-year agreement with the port management to continue with the export of cars.

According to the agreement, Nissan Motor India, a 100 % subsidiary of Nissan Motor Co Ltd, Japan, will use only the Ennore Port to export cars manufactured at its Oragadam plant, near Chennai, for the next 10 years.

Mr. M. A. Bhaskarachar, CMD, Ennore Port Ltd., and Mr. Kenichiro Yomura, Managing Director and CEO, Nissan Motor India Pvt Ltd, signed the exclusive agreement in the presence of Union Shipping Minister G.K. Vasan.

The agreement also elaborated that in case the Ennore Port is unable to handle cars for some reason, Nissan and its alliance partner Renault can use the Chennai Port, which is a 33 % stake holder of EPL.

Besides, it was also clearly mentioned in the agreement that it can be terminated by both the parties with a notice of three months from either side.

Addressing the gathering, the Union Minister of Shipping said: “Ennore Port has many firsts to its credit. It was the first Major Port under the Government of India to be corporatized. Initially, the port was conceived to handle only thermal coal for Tamil Nadu Electricity Board. However, its vast potential has been fully appreciated by all the stakeholders and it is developing fast by way of commissioning one project after the other.”

While congratulating the port management for focusing port-related infrastructure projects in a discreet and professional manner, Mr. Vasan hoped that both EPL and Nissan will grow together to greater heights drawing strength from each other.

The agreement, which assures sustained revenue for the country’s only corporate Major Port, has virtually blocked the Japanese car company from using other ports like Krishnapatnam and L & T’s Katupalli Port, which are located in the vicinity of Ennore Port.

After entering into an MoU with Ennore Port in 2008 for export of cars, Nissan started exports from the port in September 2010. It may be noted here that Nissan, which was the first motor company to use Ennore Port as the export gateway for cars, has exported more than 2 lakh vehicles till date.

As a gesture towards Nissan, EPL is providing special berth space for parking vehicles and will give the company the priority to use the newly developed marine facilities.

Besides, Nissan can enjoy concessions in the wharfage up to 60,000 units per annum, free parking space for the first 15 days and priority in handling of automobile units in the port.

Addressing the Media during the signing ceremony, the CMD of EPL, stated: “The port has developed a general cargo-cum-terminal on 35 acres, at a cost of Rs.140 crores, facilitating parking of 10,000 cars and it is the biggest car-parking yard amongst the Major Ports.”

Commenting on the new step, the Managing Director and CEO, Nissan Motor India Pvt Ltd, commented: “It is a defining moment for Nissan in India as we begin a new chapter of business through this agreement with EPL.”

This milestone completes our vision of making the Oragadam plant a strategic hub for both the domestic market as well as for exports through the support and successful partnership with Ennore Port, Mr. Yomura added.

Besides other senior representatives from Chennai and Ennore ports and EXIM fraternity, Mr. N. Muruganandam, Joint Secretary (Ports), Ministry of Shipping, and Mr. Atulya Misra, Chairman, Chennai Port Trust, attended the ceremony.

Governor hopeful of India making a mark in shipping industry

Source: http://www.sagarsandesh.com/news/cargo-scope-2013-international-conference-exhibition/

Dr.K.Rosaiah, Governor of Tamil Nadu (third from right), releasing the concept note and souvenir of the CARGO SCOPE -2013 - International Conference and Exhibition in Chennai on July 19. Dr.Palani G Periasamy,Vice President, the Southern India Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SICCI) received the first copy. Also seen (from left) Mr.A.V.Vijayakumar,President, Chennai Customs House Agents' Association (CCHAA), Mr. Raghu Shankar, Chairman , SICCI Shipping Committee, Mr.GRK Reddy, Chairman, MARG Group and Dr. Jose Paul, Conference Chairman, Cargo Scope 2013.

With increase in cost of capital, high wage cost etc. the logistics industry should come forward to create new business models with innovative ideas which are sustainable, Dr. K. Rosaiah, Governor of Tamil Nadu, has said.
Addressing the gathering of maritime fraternity during the inauguration of ‘Cargo Scope – 2013’- International Conference & Exhibition” here on July 19, organized jointly by Southern India Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SICCI), Chennai Customs House Agents’ Association (CCHAA) and EXIM India, Dr. Rosaiah stated: “There is tremendous potential in the coastal shipping and inland waterways sector which remains untapped.”
Putting all the available financial and human resources to optimal use in the service of the nation is necessary and the Indian shipping industry with proactive leadership and its spirit of entrepreneurship, is all set to emerge as one of the leading shipping industries in the world, the Governor added.
Stressing the real importance of the maritime sector for sustained growth of any country, Dr. Rosaiah pointed out: “Shipping has always played a significant role in the history of a nation, not only during times of peace, but also during conflict. It is said that a nation that controls and conquers the seas rules the whole world.”
Speaking on the current scenario in the field, he observed: “Global maritime industry and the Indian shipping trade in particular is passing through one of the toughest challenges. The international economic scenario as well as domestic situation is highly volatile and the present fluctuation in the exchange rate is adding a new dimension.”
The Governor also expressed hope that the situation would change in the sector very soon and the maritime trade across the globe would return to normalcy with its usual bustling.
In his key-note address, Mr. G. R. K. Reddy, Chairman and Managing Director of MARG Group, spoke about the emerging potential for the ports across the country.
“While we have huge potential for the port sector to grow leaps and bounds in our country, certain Government policies including the process of land acquisition act as impediments to growth in that sector,” he remarked.
He also expressed happiness that the non-major ports on both east and west coast of the country (earlier called as minor ports to distinguish from Central Government’s Major Ports) are fully geared to tap the emerging potential with their capacity enhancements.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Jose Paul, Conference Chairman, spoke on the need for having such conferences in our country at periodical intervals. He noted that China is fast progressing in the maritime field and India, as a neighbour of that Asian giant, has to catch that nation if it wants to achieve its dream of Asia’s strong economy.
Mr. G. Raghu Sankar, Chairman, SICCI Shipping Committee, informed the audience about the theme of the conference and gave an overview of the programmes and different thought-provoking sessions on shipping, ports and logistics.
Earlier, Dr. Palani G. Periyasamy, Vice-President, SICCI, who welcomed the guests, explained the role of the conference in moulding the policies for shipping sector in the country. Mr. A. V. Vijayakumar, President, the Chennai Custom House Agents Association, proposed a vote of thanks.

Somali piracy has fallen to its lowest levels since 2006: IMB Piracy Report

-As of 30 June 2013, Somali pirates holding 57 crew members for ransom on 4 vessels

Source:http://www.icc-ccs.org/

Somali piracy has fallen to its lowest levels since 2006, focusing attention on violent piracy and armed robbery off the coast of West Africa, the International Chamber Commerce (ICC) International Maritime Bureau (IMB)’s global piracy report has revealed.

According to latest reports, worldwide, the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre (PRC) recorded 138 piracy incidents in the first six months of 2013, compared with 177 incidents for the corresponding period in 2012.

Seven hijackings have been recorded this year compared with 20 in the first half of 2012. The number of sailors taken hostage also fell dramatically; down to 127 this year from 334 in the first six months of 2012, the report said.

In the Gulf of Guinea, in addition to a rise in piracy and armed robbery –31 incidents so far this year, including four hijackings – IMB reports a surge in kidnappings at sea and a wider range of ship types being targeted. This is a new cause for concern in a region already known for attacks against vessels in the oil industry and theft of gas oil from tankers. 

“There has been a worrying trend in the kidnapping of crew from vessels well outside the territorial limits of coastal states in the Gulf of Guinea,” said Mr Pottengal Mukundan, Director of IMB, which has monitored world piracy since 1991.

“In April 2013, nine crew members were kidnapped from two container vessels, one of which was 170 nautical miles from the coast. Pirates have used motherships, some of which were smaller off-shore supply vessels hijacked by pirates to conduct the attacks. There continues to be significant under-reporting of attacks – a phenomenon highlighted by the IMB year on year. This prevents meaningful response by the authorities and endangers other vessels sailing into the area unaware of the precise nature of the threat,” Mr Mukundan added.

Gulf of Guinea

Armed pirates in the Gulf of Guinea took 56 sailors hostage and were responsible for all 30 crew kidnappings reported so far in 2013. One person was reported killed and at least another five injured.  Attacks off Nigeria accounted for 22 of the region’s 31 incidents and 28 of the crew kidnappings.

Mr Mukundan applauded the signing of the Code of Conduct Concerning the Repression of Piracy, Armed Robbery Against Ships, and Illicit Maritime Activity in West and Central African June 2013 by the heads of the West and Central African countries.

“This should be translated soon into action on the water,” he said.

 “If these attacks are left unchecked, they will become more frequent, bolder and more violent. Cooperation and capacity building among the coastal states in this region is the way forward and urgently needed to make these waters safe for seafarers and vessels,” he added.

Somali clampdown

Meanwhile, in East Africa’s Gulf of Aden and Somalia, eight piracy incidents including two hijackings were recorded in the first six months of 2013, with 34 seafarers taken hostage. 

IMB attributes this significant drop in the frequency and range of attacks by Somali pirates to actions by international navies, as well as preventive measures by merchant vessels, including the deployment of privately contracted armed security personnel.

Mr Mukundan said: “The navies continue to play a vital role in ensuring this threat is kept under control. The two vessels hijacked were recovered by naval action before the pirates could take them to Somalia. Only the navies can take such remedial action after a hijack. Denying the pirates any success is essential to a sustained solution to this crime. Pirates are known to be operating in these waters. Despite the temporary protection provided by the southwest monsoon in some parts of the Arabian Sea, the threat remains and vessels are advised to be vigilant and comply with the industry’s Best Management Practices as they transit this area.”

Seafarers at the hands of pirates

As of 30 June 2013, Somali pirates were holding 57 crew members for ransom on four vessels. They were also holding 11 kidnapped crew members on land in unknown conditions and locations. Four of these crew have been held since April 2010 and seven since September 2010. 

Elsewhere in the world, low level thefts against vessels in ports and anchorages in Indonesia accounted for 48 attacks of which 43 vessels were boarded and some crew injured. IMB’s report includes details of the ports and anchorages where attacks appear to be concentrated.

Eom.Saravanan

30 years of World Maritime University celebrated at IMO

IMO Secretary-General Koji Sekimizu and WMU President Dr. Björn Kjerfve celebrate the World Maritime University's 30th anniversary on July 10.

Source: www.imo.org

-It will move to Tornhuset, the historic Old Harbour Master’s Building in 2014

-To date, 3,477 students from 164 countries have graduated from WMU 

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) on July 10 celebrated the 30th anniversary of the founding of the World Maritime University (WMU), which is based in Malmö, Sweden, with a special event which included speeches from the current and former WMU Chancellors and the WMU President.

Addressing the elite gathering, Mr Koji Sekimizu, IMO Secretary-General and WMU Chancellor, said,”For 30 years, WMU has performed, and delivered, at the very highest level. It has achieved everything its founders could ever have envisaged, and much, much more. It has grown into an institution of truly world class, with an international presence and a global outreach.”

Mr  Sekimizu also read out messages of support from Mr. Yohei Sasakawa, Chairman of the Nippon Foundation, which has given much support to WMU over the years, in terms of sponsorship and financial assistance, and from the ”founding father” of WMU, IMO Secretary-General Emeritus Dr. C.P. Srivastava, KCMG, who was instrumental in establishing WMU when he was IMO Secretary-General.

The other speakers included:  Mr. William A. O'Neil, CMG, Chancellor Emeritus and Secretary-General Emeritus; Mr. Efthimios E. Mitropoulos, Chancellor Emeritus and Secretary-General Emeritus; Dr. Wendy Watson-Wright, Assistant Director-General, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and Executive Secretary, UNESCO Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC-UNESCO); Mrs. Nancy Karigithu, Director General of the Kenya Maritime Authority, Kenya, Chairman of IMO’s Technical Co-operation Committee and Member of the WMU Board of Governors; Mr. Cong Peiwu, Minister at the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in London; Dr. Takeshi Nakazawa, Secretary, International Association of Maritime Universities (IAMU); Mr. Torben Skaanild, Secretary General/CEO of BIMCO and Chairman, WMU Executive Board; and Dr. Björn Kjerfve, President, WMU.

WMU was established at the beginning of the 1980s, when IMO identified a shortage of well-qualified, highly-educated maritime experts, particularly in lesser developed nations. It was to address this gap that IMO founded an institution to support Member States with the high level education necessary to implement international conventions. WMU today offers its original Master of Science degree, but also, in addition to six specializations available within the Malmö M.Sc. programme, there are now M.Sc. programmes in Shanghai and Dalian, China and a Ph.D. programme offering five specializations, within a flexible framework allowing the majority of the programmes to be completed from afar. Distance-learning is available as well, with a Postgraduate Diploma in Marine Insurance through co-operation with Lloyd’s Maritime Academy.

In addition, WMU utilizes its extensive network of international maritime experts to deliver a broad programme of professional development courses in Malmö, with the potential for tailor made courses at any location worldwide. WMU has also been taking advantage of its extensive network to organize and host a series of international conferences, in a significant expansion to the services it has traditionally offered the maritime community.

Recent topics have included oil spill risk management, piracy at sea, emerging ballast water management systems, the impact of climate change in the maritime industry and ship recycling.

Research projects currently underway include those in important areas such as mitigating invasive species in the arctic, risk assessment, maritime spatial planning, e navigation and safety of life at sea.

To date, 3,477 students from 164 countries have graduated from WMU and many hold very senior positions - Government ministers, deputy ministers, ambassadors to other countries. Some have pursued career paths to occupy senior positions in shipping companies, regional maritime organizations and national port and harbour authorities.

 Mr. Sekimizu thanked the Government of Sweden and the City of Malmö for generously providing WMU with its facilities, noting that, at the end of 2014, the University will move to Tornhuset, the historic Old Harbour Master’s Building in the centre of Malmö, which will be supplemented by a dramatic new, modern addition designed by a leading Scandinavian architect.

In total, this move will virtually double WMU’s floor space and provide a strong foundation for even more growth and development for this remarkable institution over the next 30 years and more.

New LG inspects passenger facilities at Haddo Wharf

Source:http://www.sagarsandesh.com/news/new-lg-inspects-passenger-facilities-at-haddo-wharf/

Within days after becoming the new Lieutenant Governor of Andaman Nicobar Islands, Lt. Gen. (retd) A. K. Singh on July 10 visited Haddo Wharf and inspected the passenger facilities and other arrangements there.
Haddo Wharf in capital Port Blair is the island’s main sea-route facility that connects the remote islands with Chennai, Kolkata and Vishakhapatnam ports regularly.
Besides serving the numerous cargo and petroleum-laden vessels, Haddo Wharf also facilitates the movement of passenger vessels run by the Andaman administration-managed Directorate of Shipping Services (DSS) and Shipping Corporation of India (SCI).
During the visit, Mr. Singh directed the officials of Port Management Board (PMB), which is the maritime authority in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, to ensure proper maintenance of the hall and other passenger amenities.
He also directed that complaints and suggestion from users/passengers be taken note of and remedial action, wherever necessary, be taken.
The LG, after inspecting the facility, expressed his desire that a face-lift be given to the entrance area of the Haddo Wharf.
Mr. Anand Prakash, Chief Secretary, A & N Islands, senior officers of the A & N administration as well as from the Andaman Lakshadweep Harbour Works (ALHW) were present during the LG’s inspection.

DP World’s ICTT greets first direct Maersk main line from West Africa

Source: http://www.sagarsandesh.com/news/dp-worlds-ictt-greets-first-direct-maersk-main-line-from-west-africa/

DP World’s International Container Trans-shipment Terminal (ICTT) has added another feather in its cap with the berthing of MV NEWYORKER, underlining that ICTT is becoming the preferred choice and much sought-after port in India for foreign shipping lines. MV NEWYORKER was berthed at ICTT at 8.20 AM on July 9 at ICTT Vallarpadam. Maersk Line has planned five vessels in this service.

This is the first Maersk Line FW1 direct main line service which has called at ICTT and will be mainly carrying raw cashew from the West African ports like Bissau and Abidjan to Cochin. The vessel is carrying 1185 TEU (twenty foot equivalent container units) to Cochin and will also have trans-shipment volumes to Tuticorin and Mangalore.

West Africa is a major sourcing hub for raw cashew. This service has commenced mainly to cater to the growing raw cashew imports from Africa. There is a major inflow of raw cashew to the processing units in Kollam and other parts of Southern India and this service will play a pivotal role for the trade. The raw cashew imports season from West Africa to Cochin starts from June-July and continues until late August.

Speaking on the occasion Mr. K.K. Krishnadas, CEO, DP World Cochin, said: “DP World constantly strives to provide the best in class service to its customers. There are many geographical advantages of Cochin: the port is well connected by rail, road and sea, it has state-of-the-art equipment and infrastructure, and it is non-tidal, all of which is beneficial for the trade.”

ICTT has recently increased its draft to 14.5 metres which will further increase its capacity to handle large main line vessels.

India shoots down Monsanto patent with Section 3(d)

Source: http://www.indiainfoline.com/Markets/News/India-shoots-down-Monsanto-patent-with-Section-3d/5727099455
-This is the same action that was used to turn down Novatis' Glivec patent application.

Indian patent office reportedly turned down a patent application filed by Monsanto which aimed at increasing climate resistance in plants by a genetically-engineered method , said reports. 
India's patent authority -Intellectual Property Appellate Board said the technology is a discovery of a new property of an already known substance and not an invention under Section 3(d) of the Indian Patent Act.
This is the same section under which the Swiss pharma giant Novartis' patent application for cancer drug Glivec was rejected.

Chapter II of the The Patents Act, 1970 on 'Inventions not patentable' reads as:

3. What are not inventions ”The following are not inventions within the meaning of this Act,”

(a) an invention which is frivolous or which claims anything obviously contrary to well established natural laws;
(b) an invention the primary or intended use or commercial exploitation of which could be contrary public order or morality or which causes serious prejudice to human, animal or plant life or health or to the environment;
(c)the mere discovery of a scientific principle or the formulation of an abstract theory or discovery of any living thing or non-living substance occurring in nature;

(d) the mere discovery of a new form of a known substance which does not result in the enhancement of the known efficacy of that substance or the mere discovery of any new property or new use for a known substance or of the mere use of a known process, machine or apparatus unless such known process results in a new product or employs at least one new reactant.


Explanation.For the purposes of this clause, salts, esters, ethers, polymorphs, metabolites, pure form, particle size, isomers, mixtures of isomers, complexes, combinations and other derivatives of known substance shall be considered to be the same substance, unless they differ significantly in properties with regard to efficacy;

(e) a substance obtained by a mere admixture resulting only in the aggregation of the properties of the components thereof or a process for producing such substance;

(f) the mere arrangement or re-arrangement or duplication of known devices each functioning independently of one another in a known way;

(g) Omitted by the Patents (Amendment) Act, 2002

(h) a method of agriculture or horticulture;

(i) any process for the medicinal, surgical, curative, prophylactic diagnostic, therapeutic or other treatment of human beings or any process for a similar treatment of animals to render them free of disease or to increase their economic value or that of their products.

(j) plants and animals in whole or any part thereof other than micro organisms but including seeds, varieties and species and essentially biological processes for production or propagation of plants and animals;

(k) a mathematical or business method or a computer programme per se or algorithms;

(l) a literary, dramatic, musical or artistic work or any other aesthetic creation whatsoever including cinematographic works and television productions;

(m) a mere scheme or rule or method of performing mental act or method of playing game;

(n) a presentation of information;

(o) topography of integrated circuits;

(p) an invention which in effect, is traditional knowledge or which is an aggregation or duplication of known properties of traditionally known component or components.

4. Inventions relating to atomic energy not patentable. ”No patent shall be granted in respect of an invention relating to atomic energy falling within sub section (1) of section 20 of the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 (33 of 1962).

5. Inventions where only methods or processes of manufacture patentable: [Omitted by the Patents (Amendment) Act, 2005]