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Chennai, Aug. 14 Thanks to inadequate investment by the Government in coastal shipping, the sector has not progressed well over the years. This is despite the fact that this sector is being discussed in every forum, according to Capt. P.V.K. Mohan, Member, National Shipping Board, an apex body advising the Ministry of Shipping on matters related to the shipping industry.

“Investment in the Indian shipping itself is low when compared to rail and road sectors,” Mr Mohan said at a seminar on ‘The Indian Coastal Shipping: The Opportunities Towards Economical Logistics’ organised by the CII Institute of Logistics.

“Unlike textile, cement and steels sectors, we do not have a strong lobby to take up the issues related to coastal shipping. We are too busy with our own things and concerned about the day-to-day issues. Unless there is a strong representation we will not be able to move further,” he said.

Mr Rajeev K. Gupta, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Shipping, said despite having a number of reports on coastal shipping the sector has not progressed well. “Come out with innovative ideas to develop the sector. Coastal shipping should not be considered in isolation but be part of the overall infrastructure,” he said.

According to Mr Sudhir S. Rangnekar, Event Chairman, and Managing Director and Group CEO, Sical Logistics, there are nearly 10 reports, including that of Afzalpurkar, Pinto and TCS, on coastal shipping. Most of the recommendations have been more or less the same.

Cargo traffic through coastal shipping in India was around 110 million tonnes (mt). This is compared to 875 mt handled by China; 549 mt by Japan; 141 mt by South Korea and 133 mt by Indonesia.

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