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spective plan up to year 2025 on devel-
opment of coastal shipping in India has
been prepared by Asian Development
Bank. The plan takes a holistic view of
the coastal shipping sector discern-
ing its potential and challenges and
addresses them with necessary infra-
structure, regulatory and commercial
intervention.
The Ministry of Shipping has ap-
proved setting up of a National Mari-
time Heritage Complex at Lothal with
total cost of 478.9 crores, the first of its
kind world class complex in the coun-
try to showcase India’s rich Maritime
Heritage dating back from Harappan
times.
For a closer and active interaction
between the Central Government
and the Maritime States/UTs for aug-
A Multi Skill Development Centre 2019, upgraded Port Community Sys- menting the infrastructure develop-
(MSDC) in Maritime Logistics at Jawa- tem has been introduced for all ports. ment and safety and security of the
harlal Nehru Port Trust was also inau- The system enables seamless data ports, as ports play a vital role in EXIM
gurated in 2019. The MSDC will provide flow between the various stakehold- Trade,17thMaritime State Development
skill development in maritime logistics ers through common interface. To Council was held in October 2019.
to over 1050 students per year in the move towards complete paperless re- India was re-elected to the IMO
port and maritime sector. Multi-skill gime, E-DO (Electronic Delivery Order) Council under Category “B” — States
Development Centres (MSDC) are be- through PCS made mandatory along with the largest interest in interna-
ing setup at all major ports. with e-invoicing and e-payment. The tional seaborne trade, as the Assembly
The foundation stone for the Central RFID Operation at KDS, CCTV Opera- of the International Maritime Organi-
Inland and Coastal Maritime Technol- tions at Kolkata Dock System (KDS) and zation (IMO) has elected new mem-
ogy (CICMT) at IIT Kharagpur was laid Rabindra Setu and three Truck Parking bers for IMO Council for the biennium
in March, 2019.The establishment of Terminals at KDS were also inaugu- 2020-21. The Ministry of Shipping has
CICMT signifies a major leap in indig- rated in 2019. The RFID system will pro- amended the guidelines regarding
enous innovation and cutting-edge vide single window system to the port Grant of Right of First Refusal to Indian
technology support to the Port and users for obtaining permit and passes shipyards by Government departments
Maritime sector directly contribut- through cashless transactions. or agencies for procurement of vessels
ing to the Sagarmala programme and Two multipurpose berths at Deen by them for own use or Government
support ‘Make in India’ and is based on Dayal Port, Kandla were inaugurated use.
close collaboration amongst govern- by in March 2019. The new berths A proposal regarding settlement
ment, academic institutions and indus- would help in reducing the congestion of long pending subsidy claims for ex-
try to make applied research relevant in the port. In 2019 a 400 bedded Super ecuted shipbuilding contracts under
to day to day ground work in the port Specialty Hospital at Paradip Port at the shipbuilding subsidy scheme, 2002-
and maritime sector. A MoU was also an estimated cost of 200 crores with 2007 has been given approval in Octo-
signed with the Germany for technol- an option to further develop a Medical ber 2019. This would involve release
ogy collaboration for the centre during College and expand the hospital on PPP of committed liability of shipbuilding
the state visit of German Chancellor. basis. subsidy through budgetary support of
approx. 153 crores for a total number
Shipyards and ports Coastal Shipping of 51 vessels, including retained sub-
The first ever BIMSTEC Conclave of The ministry has undertaken several sidy for 47 vessels and full subsidy for
Ports was held in India in 2019. The con- initiatives to promote Coastal Shipping, 4 vessels. This Ministry is formulating
clave provided a platform to strength- as coastal shipping is the top most pri- guidelines for release of the subsidy, it
en maritime interaction, port-led con- ority of the Ministry under Sagarmala. is learnt.
nectivity initiatives and sharing best In order to continue this pace and seek
practices among member countries. In further growth of coastal trade, a per- LETTERS@TEHELKA.COM

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