The Hindu Business Line : ‘AP should constitute maritime board soon’

Visakhapatnam, Nov. 21 The Andhra Pradesh Government should hasten the process of constituting a maritime board for the speedy development of the non-major ports in the State, following the example of Gujarat, said Capt. P.V.K Mohan, Chairman of the National Shipping Board.

While interacting with the media here on Friday after the meeting of the National Shipping Board, he said Gujarat was the leading State in port development and Andhra Pradesh stood second. Andhra Pradesh could also achieve similar results, “if the maritime board is constituted. I understand a proposal has been sent to the Union Government for clearance. The sooner, the better,” he said.

Coastal shipping

He said the NSB had deliberated at length on the issue of coastal shipping and decided to prepare an approach paper on the issue. “Development of coastal shipping will greatly reduce the burden on the road and rail networks and as in the developed world bring down the logistic costs,” he said.

The Union Government should also offer tax relief to seafarers and support the shipping industry, Capt. Mohan said, especially in the times of economic recession.

He congratulated the Indian Navy for repulsing the attack on Indian ship in international waters by pirates. “More naval presence is needed in the area and we will represent the matter to the Union Government,” he said. Mr S. Hazara, Chairman and Managing Director of Shipping Corporation of India, sought support greater support for the shipping industry.

Recession impact

“The impact of the economic recession on the Indian shipping industry has not been as drastic as in the west, but it is quite marked. Dry-bulk cargo segment, especially iron ore, has suffered the worst blow. The impact on containers has been less, but this crisis will last sometime. The Government should support the shipping industry, as it is doing for other industries, especially with regard to taxation,” he said.

Capt. M.M Saggi, national adviser to the Government on shipping, said the Gujarat Maritime Board had worked wonders and Andhra Pradesh should follow suit. “I am sure the same results can be achieved here,” he added.

Ms Lakshmi Venkatachalam, Director-General of Shipping, and Mr Ajeya Kallam, Chairman of the Visakhapatnam port, also spoke.

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