Date:09/07/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/09/stories/2008070960831000.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

“Indigenise equipment-making to develop maritime industry”

Special Correspondent

CHENNAI: Indigenisation of equipment manufacturing is essential to the growth of the maritime industry, a senior government official said at the valedictory function of an international seminar here on Tuesday.

Purnendu Misra, Principal Officer-cum-Joint Director-General (Tech) of the Mercantile Marine Department, said many components for different equipment in the shipping industry were manufactured in India. But finished equipment was invariably imported at three times the cost of indigenous products. Manufacturing should be given priority to ensure efficiency.

Representatives of industry, academia and the government took part in INFRATECH 2008, a two-day seminar on “Maritime Ahead–Opportunities & Challenges,” and discussed issues related to sea transport and port management. The topics included port connectivity and the investment climate, shipbuilding, containerisation and port development.

Presenting the recommendations, drew up by experts at the end of the sessions, M.S. Srinivasan, Advisor, Tamil Nadu Urban Development Fund, said the Indian Ports Act, 1908, needed to be revised to facilitate easy investments.

Dr. Srinivasan said more ports were needed to meet the trade that had grown over the past few years and asked the government to improve port connectivity for decongesting transport and to provide for speedy port evacuation. He also suggested that port infrastructure bonds be floated to increase investments in the maritime industry.

Ishari K. Ganesh, chancellor, Vel’s University, said the maritime sector was becoming attractive for youngsters as it offered high wages, opportunities to travel round the world, and prospects of advancement to positions of responsibility. Maritime education in India was becoming important, as there was a need for qualified seafarers, with nearly 50,000 ships taking part in trade worldwide at any given time.

In his valedictory address, S. Ramachandran, Vice-Chancellor, University of Madras, underlined the importance of maritime education. Technological innovation was required to “decouple growth in maritime activities from environmental degradation.” He called for an integrated data network and closer links among policymakers, industry and research workers to maximise economic benefits.