Date:12/03/2006 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2006/03/12/stories/2006031202570300.htm

Back Meet on avenues in coastal trade

Our Bureau

Mumbai , March 11

Problems and prospects facing India's coastal trade were discussed at length at a seminar on `Coastal Trade and Opportunities' organised here recently.

Infrastructure development, role of major ports in coastal shipping, inland waterway development and minor port upgradation were some of the issues that were discussed at the seminar. Mr R.B. Budhiraja, Chairman of Jawaharlal Nehru port, said the Sethusamudram project would go a long way in promotion of inter-coastal shipping.

He pointed out that coastal shipping in India accounts for just 6.85 per cent of the total cargo transport network with inland waterways transportation being a mere 0.15 per cent. However, the share of coastal shipping cargo is set to rise from 7 per cent to 15 per cent by the year 2025.

He said a National Maritime Policy envisaging private and public sector participation has been mooted and initially one minor port in each maritime state has been proposed with the entire scheme being scheduled for completion by 2011-2012. Mr D.T. Joseph, former Secretary to the Ministry of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways, felt that decision-making is still inadequate.