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V. Sajeev Kumar

Kochi , Oct 10

EXPERTS at a seminar on World Maritime Day have stressed the need to develop national shipping infrastructure in India in order to reap the benefits of globalisation and the economic benefits deriving out of it.

They said that the share of foreign trade carried in Indian ships had declined over the years even though the country's foreign trade has been growing leaps and bounds.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Verghese Kuruvilla, Vice-President, German Express Shipping Agency (India) Pvt Ltd, said that shipping has always provided the only cost-effective method of bulk transport over any great distance.

The eternal triangle of producers, manufacturers, and markets are brought together through shipping.

This has always been the case and will remain so for the foreseeable future, he added.

Quoting the latest annual figures from Unctad, Mr Kuruvilla said that shipping accounts for a staggering 24,589 billion tonnes, which continues to increase year after year.

Every statistical indicator suggests that shipping is becoming safer and improving its environmental credentials, he said, adding that ships' losses are falling and damage to environment has sharply fallen.

To a considerable extent, he said, this success story should be attributed to the comprehensive framework of rules, regulations and standards developed by the International Maritime Organisation through international collaboration and with full industry participation.

With the potential benefits of shipping, growth can be accelerated and skills and technology can be more evenly dispersed.

In shipping today, there is modern engineering and technology that deserves to be ranked alongside the very finest achievements of global infrastructure.

It plays a significant contribution to international trade and the world economy as the most efficient, safe, and environmental-friendly method of transporting goods around the globe, he added.

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