The Hindu Business Line : India can't switch to double hull tankers by 2010: Baalu

It would be impossible for India to meet the deadline of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to replace single hull tankers with double hull tankers by 2010, according to Mr T.R. Baalu, Minister of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways.

Shipyards across the world, including India, are running to full capacity and there is no time to change tankers to double hull, he said at an international conference on infrastructure development in the port sector.

The IMO has said that at least 30 per cent of a country's fleet of single hull tankers should be changed to double hull. "Even this is impossible by 2010," Mr Baalu said.

According to Mr Pranab Mukherjee, Minister of External Affairs, a crucial issue involved in increasing efficiency of the Indian port sector is the need to upgrade the quality of management services.

As there are limited funds available for development of ports, the role of private sector in the development of terminals and their management by BOT (build, operate and transfer) method is important. "We already see the increase in productivity of ports due to the participation of private sector in its management."

Since containerised cargo is increasing in volumes significantly and the road sector has capacity limitations, it would be appropriate to upgrade the rail movement of containers, as this is a more economical and faster mode of transportation.

The opening of the Railways to the private sector would further influence the increase in the rail share of containers, he said.

Prof S. Ramachandran, Vice-Chancellor of University of Madras, said that the University had established two centres of excellence - on coastal study and infrastructure management studies.

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