Samsara Newsletter

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Week 13, 2019 (Mar 23 – Mar 29)

Policy & Economy News

Ministry of Commerce introduces online system for obtaining export licence for restricted category goods

India's goods, services export to touch about USD 540 bn this fiscal: Prabhu

Business News - The India Boom Factor

Vegetable oil imports up

Govt making all efforts to boost export of chemicals, plastics & minerals

Thailand seeks Indian investment in key economic & logistics corridor

Indian basmati rice industry to clock its highest export ever in FY 19 : ICRA

Shipping News

SCI enhances its coastal presence by commencing East Coast of India Express Service

ONE unveils enhanced Intra-Asia - East India service network for 2019

MSC updating network to better serve East Africa & Middle East, India & Sri Lanka

Logistics News

Srinagar set to get dedicated air cargo terminal

Cold storage capacity expands, Rs 21,000 crore (Rs.210 billion) investment lined up by 2023

Indian Port News

Chennai Port achieves a new high in container handling.

JNPT strengthens maritime business partnership with UAE

Jawaharlal Nehru Port handles over 5 m TEUs for the first time in a fiscal

Adani Ports becomes first Indian port operator to record 200 MMT cargo movement Milestone makes APSEZ among top 5 fastest growing port players in the world

Kolkata Port planning to set up a barge terminal at Balagarh

Policy & Economy News

Ministry of Commerce introduces online system for obtaining export licence for restricted category goods
Exim News Service - New Delhi, March 25 Top
In a move aimed at promoting paperless procedures and ease of doing business, the Ministry of Commerce has introduced an online system for exporters to obtain licence for restricted category goods.

"It has been decided that applications by exporters will be filed online on E-COM module for export authorisations. The consultation process with administrative departments will also be online," the Directorate-General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) said in a recent trade notice that has reportedly come into effect.

A communique highlighted that the move will help in promoting ease of doing business and is aimed at simplifying application filing as well as expediting the processing and issuance of export authorisation.

Exporters need to obtain licence from the government for certain restricted category goods such as bio-fuels. Currently, application for export of such goods is filed in hard copy and the consultation with the concerned agencies is also done manually.

In the online application, exporters will have to upload certain documents such as copy of purchase order of firm involved in the export and the Aayat Niryat form.

"No hard copy of the application and documents is required to be submitted to DGFT," the notice said, adding that as a transition arrangement, applications shall be accepted offline also till March 31.

"From April 1, 2019, it is mandatory to apply online only," it added.

India's goods, services export to touch about USD 540 bn this fiscal: Prabhu
Press Trust of India - New Delhi, March 29 Top
New Delhi: India's merchandise and services export would touch USD 540-billion mark this fiscal, Commerce Minister Suresh Prabhu said Thursday.

He said exports are growing at a healthy pace and shipments of goods would reach over USD 330 billion.

Similarly, services exports would touch about USD 200 billion, according to Prabhu.

In total, both "merchandise and services exports put together will reach about USD 540 billion" by the end of this fiscal, the minister said here at a function.

During April-February 2018-19, the goods exports grew by 8.85 per cent to USD 298.47 billion.

Talking about the stalled negotiations for a free trade agreement between India and European Union, the minister said India is keen to resume the talks.

"We are really keen to have this FTA with EU. India will work to find a workable deal," he said.

The negotiations for the pact, officially dubbed as the Bilateral Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA), have been held up since May 2013 and have witnessed many hurdles.

The negotiations for the pact were launched in 2007.

Business News - The India Boom Factor

Vegetable oil imports up
Exim News Service - Mumbai, March 24 Top
palm oil imports in February 2019 dropped 1.1 per cent from a year earlier to 751,703 tonnes, while soyabean oil imports surged 65 per cent to 2,20,376 tonnes. Sunflower oil imports eased 3.7 per cent to 2,00,358 tonnes, according to the Solvent Extractors Association of India (SEA).

Import of vegetable oils during February 2019 stood at 12,42,533 tonnes against 11,57,044 tonnes in February 2018, comprising 1,182,062 tonnes of edible oils and 60,471 tonnes of non-edible oils, up 7.4 per cent.

The overall import of vegetable oils during November 2018-February 2019 was 4,862,849 tonnes, against 4,785,778 tonnes, an increase of 1.61 per cent, reports said.

Govt making all efforts to boost export of chemicals, plastics & minerals
Exim News Service: MUMBAI, March 27 Top
Chemicals, plastics and minerals exports witnessed 21.32 per cent growth at $ 46.71 billion during April-February 2018-19, offering huge growth opportunities following lower per capita consumption and low labour cost, the Union Commerce Secretary, Mr Anup Wadhawan, said.

He was speaking at the three-day 4th CapIndia 2019 mega expo focused on chemicals, plastics, building and construction materials, mining and mineral products, paper, printing, publications, stationery products, shellac, forest and allied products.

"The government is pulling all stops to encourage Indian businesses promote their products across the world. The value of exports of products overseen by Plexconcil, Chemexcil, Capexil and Shefexil is $ 46.71 billion during April-February 2018-19 compared to $ 38.50 billion in the same period of 2017-18," Mr Wadhawan said. The total global imports for the products are at about $ 3.3 trillion and India's current exports are only $ 46.71 billion. It should play a significant role in the government's ambitious target of achieving an export of $ 900 billion by 2020, he added.

"The country witnessed a robust export growth in chemicals. Exports of products overseen by Chemexcil grew 31.9 per cent in 2017-18 to $ 15.91 billion and have grown by 24.21 per cent in April-February 2018-19 to $ 17.19 billion. The plastics industry offers huge growth opportunities due to lower per capita consumption compared to world average, coupled with low labour cost and availability of skilled manpower," Mr Wadhawan said.

Thailand seeks Indian investment in key economic & logistics corridor
Exim News Service: MUMBAI, March 27 Top
"Thailand's upcoming Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) is being positioned as a gateway to the Asian market which accounts for one-third of the world economy. The 13,000-sq. km EEC will be the future economic and logistics hub of Asia. The project is being developed as part of the ambitious Thailand 4.0 initiative.

"I invite Indian businesses to explore commercial opportunities in agriculture, automobiles, electronics, medical devices and other manufacturing and services industries in this corridor. Thailand's Board of Investment is keen to promote not only Indian investment in Thailand but also the entry of Thai companies in India," said Ms Bussarakum Sriratana, Executive Director - International Affairs Bureau, Board of Investment, Thailand.

She was speaking at a round-table discussion on 'Thailand 4.0 and Business Opportunities for Indian Partners'. The event was jointly organised by MVIRDC World Trade Centre Mumbai and All India Association of Industries (AIAI).

Highlighting the Thailand 4.0 initiative, Ms Sriratana said, "Thailand seeks the partnership of India, especially the business community of Maharashtra, to transform its country into an innovative society under its ambitious Thailand 4.0 initiative. EEC will be the Metropolis of Future with world class economic zone. Over the next five years, this corridor will attract $ 43 billion worth public and private investment in various sectors, including upgradation of three international airports and three deep sea ports."

The EEC encompasses the three eastern provinces of Chachoengsao, Chonburi and Rayong, with Wangchan Valley in the Rayong province acting as the centre of the Eastern Economic Corridor of Innovation (EECi).

Earlier, in his remarks, Mr Ekapol Poolpipat, Consul General - Royal Thai Consulate General, Mumbai, said, "In the next few years, EEC will be transformed into a full-fledged integrated logistics and transport hub with huge potential for investment in petrochemicals, automotive, aviation, advanced manufacturing, biotechnology, agro processing, electronics, robotics and advanced manufacturing."

Mr Nanthapol Sudbanthad, Director - Thailand Board of Investment, Mumbai, highlighted some of the incentives offered for investors in the EEC region. These include exemption from corporate tax in the initial years of the project, duty-free import of machineries, low personal income tax, facilitation of work permits, and one-stop service for investors.

Ms Kittiya Bantadchan, Vice-President, Commercial Team - Eastern Economic Corridor Innovation, PTT Public Co. Ltd, remarked, "EECi is an innovation zone which will promote high-tech industries supported by world class facilities for science and technology, research and development. The six target industries promoted in this zone are modern agriculture and biotechnology, bio-fuel and bio-chemicals, high-performance battery and modern transport, automation, robotics, intelligent electronics, aviation and space, medical devices."

The round-table discussion was attended by delegates from agro-processing, chemicals, aviation, automobiles, tourism, power transmission and other sectors, including consultancy firms, said a release.

Indian basmati rice industry to clock its highest export ever in FY 19 : ICRA
Daily Shipping Times - Mumbai, March 28 Top
The Indian basmati rice industry is on the verge of clocking its highest ever exports of around Rs. 30,000 crore (Rs.300 billion) in FY2019 (previous high of Rs. 29,300 crore ie Rs.293 billion in FY2014), according to an ICRA report.

The growth has been fuelled by considerable firming up of average realisations, strong demand from Iran and steady increase in paddy prices for three years in a row. As per an ICRA note, the momentum of the current fiscal is likely to percolate into the next fiscal, FY2020 as well with expectation of 4-5% growth in exports, given the high base.

Elaborating further, Mr. Deepak Jotwani, Assistant Vice President, ICRA, says, "It is important to note that this growth has been despite some challenges that surfaced during FY2019 - pesticide residue issue leading to

a decline in exports to European Union (EU), Saudi Arabia mulling adoption of stringent pesticide rules, payment issues from some Iranian importers and uncertainty due to imposition of trade sanctions on Iran by the US Government. The stringent pesticide norms by EU led to loss of exports worth around Rs. 1,000 crore (Rs.10 billion) in 9MFY2019, and the same could exacerbate going forward. Nevertheless, the fact that EU contributed around 8% to the exports till FY2018, allowed for the loss to be compensated by exports to the Middle Eastern countries. Further, the industry has been able to tide through most of the other issues, as demonstrated by steady increase in exports to Saudi Arabia and establishment of the rupee payment mechanism to facilitate future trade between India and Iran, its prime market for Basmati exports.

However, overall, tightening of pesticide residue norms by key importers could be a long-term risk for the industry." Continuing the momentum from FY2018, India has already exported Basmati rice worth Rs. 24,919 crore ( Rs.249 billion - 3.37 million MT) in 10M FY2019,

17% higher than Rs. 21,319 crore (Rs.213 billion - 3.28 million MT) in the corresponding period in the previous fiscal. Like the previous fiscal, growth in the current fiscal too has been driven by firming up of average export realisations (14%), while the volumes have only been marginally higher (2%). Over the next few quarters, demand in the export market is likely to remain steady (also supported by resumption of imports by Iran), thereby driving the industry exports in FY2019 to the highest ever level of almost Rs. 30,000 crore (Rs.300 billion)

Shipping News

SCI enhances its coastal presence by commencing East Coast of India Express Service
Exim News Service - Mumbai, March 24 Top
The Shipping Corporation of India (SCI), the country's national carrier, presently connects 8 major ports on the west, south and east coasts of India. After introducing the dedicated Port Blair service connecting Chennai-Kolkata-Port Blair, SCI is now commencing a dedicated service on the east coast, namely, the East Coast of India Express Service (ECX Service).

As per a release, in its endeavour to always cater to the requirements of the trade, SCI, at the request of various valued customers, decided to introduce this service. It will facilitate more shipping solutions for the Indian trade and further enhance connectivity on the country's east coast from various locations, the release highlighted.

The service was scheduled to commence ex Colombo from March 23, 2019 with the following port rotation: Kattupalli - Krishnapatnam - Haldia - Paradip - Visakhapatnam - Kattupalli

SCI, which already has an established coastal market covering the east and west coasts, will be further strengthened with the introduction of the ECX Service which will help in increasing inter-connectivity. It can also serve as a feeder service for the long haul ex-im cargo of the east coast. In addition, this move by SCI will further enhance efforts to promote the Sagarmala project for connecting and developing the Indian coastal ecosystem, the release added.

ONE unveils enhanced Intra-Asia - East India service network for 2019
Exim News Service - Singapore, March 24 Top
Ocean Network Express (ONE) announced the details of its Intra-Asia - East India service network for 2019, offering improved service coverage and comprehensive port connections for its valued customers.

For the South-East Asia to East India services offered under ONE's 2018 profile, the Thailand East India 1 (TEI1) and Thailand East India 2 (TEI2) services will be merged and upgraded from April 2019. The port coverage on the upgraded TEI1 service will maintain the same as the existing product whereas its schedule will be expected to be more stable, said a release.

ONE will also launch a new weekly Far East to East India service by joining an existing service as a vessel operator, offering comprehensive port coverage from the Far East, South-East Asia to the East India market. The new "China Chennai Express (CCX) Service" will also offer a direct coverage to Haiphong from Chennai. The CCX service will replace the existing Asia Chennai Express (ACE) service offered under ONE's 2018 network, which ONE is currently slot taking.

ONE outlined its enhanced Intra-Asia - East India service network as follows:

TEI1: Thailand East India 1 - Laem Chabang - Singapore - Port Kelang - Kattupalli - Chennai - Port Kelang - Singapore - Laem Chabang

CCX: China Chennai Express - Shanghai - Ningbo - Hong Kong - Shekou - Singapore - Port Kelang - Chennai - Kattupalli - Port Kelang - Singapore - Haiphong - Shanghai

SVX: Straits Visakhapatnam Express - Singapore - Port Kelang - Chennai - Visakhapatnam - Singapore

The strengthened service network is scheduled to launch from April 2019, subject to necessary regulatory approvals. With the upgraded service network, ONE is expected to create more excellent, reliable, efficient and effective services for customers for the East India market. ONE will keep the market informed about more detailed information, including day of calling and terminal selections, the release added.

MSC updating network to better serve East Africa & Middle East, India & Sri Lanka
Exim News Service - Geneva, March 28 Top
Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) is updating its network to better serve shippers moving cargo between East Africa and the Middle East, India and Sri Lanka.

As part of the revamp of its East Africa-Middle East Network, MSC is launching a news service, Mogadishu Express, a direct service connecting Jebel Ali to Mogadishu and Kismayu in less than one week.

Rotations of Petra and East Africa Express services have been revised to enhance schedule reliability, while ensuring that transit times remain competitive in those regions, to ensure it matches customers' expectations.

The implementation of the updated network is planned for middle April 2019 and remains subject to further updates.

Highlights

EAST AFRICA EXPRESS - Direct call from Mombassa to India

Port rotation: Mundra - Abu Dhabi - Jebel Ali - Mombassa -Mundra

First sailing: MSC Positano OM914A, ETA Abu Dhabi, 06.04.2019

MOGADISHU EXPRESS - New direct service to from Jebel Ali to Mogadishu and Kismayu

Port rotation: Abu Dhabi - Jebel Ali - Mogadishu - Kismayu - Salalah - Hamad - Abu Dhabi

First sailing: MSC Jasmine JM916R, ETA Mogadishu, 15.04.2019

PETRA - Competitive transit times between Sri Lanka and the Red Sea

Port rotation: Colombo - Djibouti - King Abdullah - Al Aqabah - Sokhna - Colombo

First sailing: MSC Roberta SD914A, ETA Colombo, 05.04.2019

Logistics News

Srinagar set to get dedicated air cargo terminal
Exim News Service, March 26 Top
Construction of a dedicated air cargo terminal has commenced at Srinagar Airport, it is learnt, which is expected to help ease the movement of goods to and from Kashmir.

The general cargo terminal under the Common User Domestic Cargo Terminal, a project to be undertaken by Airports Authority of India, is expected to be ready in 15 months, reports said.

Approximately 25 tonnes of cargo is currently processed at Srinagar every day, which is projected to grow. The state-of-art new terminal buildings are expected to facilitate the doubling of tonnage in the coming decade. Some of the proposed facilities at the general cargo terminal are truck dock area, acceptance, delivery, storage and a holding area, dedicated office space for airlines, notified car and truck parking area, all the necessary latest equipment like X-ray machine, weighing machines, forklifts and trolleys, etc., reports added.

Cold storage capacity expands, Rs 21,000 crore (RS.210 billion) investment lined up by 2023
Business Standard -Lucknow, March 25 Top
In next 4-5 years Rs 21,000 crore (Rs.210 billion) will be invested in setting up or upgrading cold storages to address the problem of stockpiling of perishable commodities. There has been an urgent need to upgrade existing cold storage plant and machinery, and technology. An under-developed food processing value chain is another issue that needs to be resolved.

Currently 68 per cent of the existing cold storage capacity is used for storing potato and yet farmers are not getting the right price. The situation in other commodities no better.

Crisil Research has estimated that investment of Rs 16,000-21,000 crore (Rs.160-210 billion) is being lined up in the sector between 2019 and 2023 for optimising the domestic post-harvest value chain and to feed the downstream food processing industry.

According to Crisil Research director Hetal Gandhi, fresh investment was expected from private players, while the government typically supported the sector through subsidies. For instance, the union ministry of food processing offered subsidy at 50 per cent of the project cost with a cap of Rs 10 crore (Rs.100 million).

To set up a multi-commodity cold storage of 10,000 tonnes capacity, investment of around Rs 20 crore (Rs.200 million) is needed with a payback period of 6-7 years.

Undoubtedly, cold storage forms the most vital post-harvest horticultural value chain for the downstream food processing industry. The current cold storage capacity in India is pegged at 37-39 million tonnes (MT). According to official statistics, there are about 7,645 cold storages in the country with 68 per cent of the capacity being used for potato, while 30 per cent is multi-commodity cold storage.

Top potato producers of Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal make up 55-60 per cent of the overall domestic cold storage capacity.

Apart from potato, the multi commodity cold storages cater to meat & poultry, seafood, dairy products, fruits & vegetables and pharmaceuticals. She informed typically, EXIM-focused commodities occupied 65-70% of cold storage across the country. "This is due to stringent quality requirements in the countries they are exported to, which necessitates temperature-controlled storages and use of reefers across the value chain. Occupancy across commodities also varies by season and location."

Crisil also expects the cold storage industry to grow at a CAGR of 13-15% over fiscals 2019-23, mainly driven by rising demand for processed food, fresh fruits & vegetables, seafood and bio-pharmaceuticals in exports markets.

Considering that potato produce in the current 2018-19 season alone is estimated at more than 52 MT, the sub-optimum capacity of cold storages only gets magnified. Another highly perishable horticultural commodity tomato is estimated to touch almost 20 MT in production this season, thus further dwarfing the cold storage capacity.

Currently, 95% of the cold storages are owned by the private sector, 3% by cooperatives and the remaining 2% by the public sector undertakings. Since, bulk of the capacity is owned by the private sector, there is greater need for the central and state governments to rise up to the occasion and support the beleaguered industry.

Kolkata-based potato trader and cold storage owner Patit Paban Dey told Business Standard there was an urgent need to ramp up domestic capacity. "The government should provide sops, such as capital subsidy for the upgradation and setting up of cold storages, which are currently facing financial difficulties."

UP has nearly 2,000 cold storages with combined capacity of nearly 15 MT, followed by Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Haryana etc. The rising agricultural production, including horticultural crops, over the past several years has not only put added strain on the governments to keep the prices remunerative for farmers even during glut but also keep a balance over retail inflation.

According to experts, the long term solution for higher farm income and farmers' prosperity is the growth of a viable food processing industry being fed by a robust network of cold storages and transport infrastructure to keep the farm produce remunerative, keep moderate retail food inflation and maintaining the food security of the nation.

"Majority of the cold storages in UP are either sick or on the verge of getting sick owing to the lack of capital to upgrade and subdued outlook, since the staple crop of potato which we stock has itself been facing uncertain and fluctuating market situations over the past several years. Unless, potato value chain is fortified with food processing, there is not much hope for our survival," Agra-based Rajesh Goyal, who is also the acting president of the Federation of Cold Storage Associations of India lamented.

Cold Storage industry at a glance
Projected investment in domestic capacity Rs 16,000-21,000 crore (Rs.160-210 billion)
Existing capacity 37-39 million tonnes
Total number of cold storages 7,645
Cold storage occupancy by top commodity potato 68%
Projected growth of industry during 2019-23 13-15% CAGR
Private sector ownership of cold storages 95%
Cold storage capacity of top state Uttar Pradesh: 14 million tonnes
Sources: Crisil Research/Industry


Indian Port News

Chennai Port achieves a new high in container handling
Exim News Service - Chennai, March 24 Top
Chennai Port has surpassed its own record in container handling by crossing 1,565,346 TEUs on March 21, 2019, 10 days ahead of the conclusion of the current financial year. Its earlier record had been 1,565,130 TEUs during 2015-16, informed a release.

Appreciating the achievement, Mr P. Raveendran, Chairman, Chennai Port Trust, congratulated all the stakeholders, including importers and exporters and the terminal operators, for their efforts towards the port attaining this new high. He stressed that the port would continuously strive to achieve improved performance and productivity in order to attract more volumes, the release added.

JNPT strengthens maritime business partnership with UAE
Exim News Service: Navi Mumbai, March 26 Top
* Introduces new direct Sharjah-JNPT-Sharjah route for cargo movement

* Also calling Kandla

Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), the premier container port in India, continues to scale up its growth trajectory with new business initiatives between friendly neighbouring countries. A new direct service, Sharjah Container Terminal (SCT)-JNPT-Kandla-SCT, for cargo shipment, has been added to the existing shipping service operating between the UAE and India.

Speaking on this new service, Mr Sanjay Sethi, IAS, Chairman, JNPT, said, "As India's leading container port, JNPT is constantly innovating and improving its operational efficiency and scaling up its business capacity. We are committed to provide seamless customer service and ease of doing business for the ex-im community and this allows us to be the preferred choice as a business partner in the maritime sector. The UAE is developing its ports and is becoming a key destination for global trade due to its strategic access to Asia, Africa and Europe. Thus, strengthening the maritime ties between both countries will be helpful for developing the maritime sector in the Asian region and opening new avenues for growth in the global market as well."

The vessel M.V. Port Klang, from Sunmarine Shipping Services, made its maiden voyage from Sharjah Container Terminal (SCT) to JNPT (JNPCT) on March 17, 2019. This vessel is said to offer the fastest direct express service between Sharjah's Port Khalid and JNPT and other ports in the Western India region, with only three days transit time from the last port in India to Sharjah, highlighted a release.

JNPT is the only Indian port amongst the top 30 container ports globally and is now further enhancing its operational capabilities and efficiency to drive the next phase of its transformation. It has completed dredging of the navigational channels to 15 m, which will allow larger vessels of more than 12,500 TEUs to dock at the port. Vessels are getting bigger in the global market to account for the increasing demand of business, and this strategic move will equip JNPT to handle these large consignments, automatically leading to more container traffic and business growth.

Besides, JNPT-SEZ is developing a Free Trade Warehouse which will accentuate the port-based SEZ as a preferred investment destination for both domestic and global companies. In addition, on the port operational front, over 48 per cent of the cargo traffic is routed through the DPD service and with ITT (Inter-Terminal Transit) facility allowing container trucks access to all terminals from inside the port, the ex-im community has saved fuel worth over Rs 10.8 crore (Rs.108 million) and also saved overall trade cost of nearly Rs 211 crore (Rs.2.1 billion) till date, the release emphasised, adding that many such smart initiatives, including the digitalisation of processes and adoption of technology to automate processes, have led to significant reduction in the dwell time which has been a boon for the ex-im community.

Also, recently the first export consignment from Afghanistan reached JNPT via Chabahar Port, which marked the beginning of a maritime partnership between both countries for trade and economic growth, the release added.

Jawaharlal Nehru Port handles over 5 m TEUs for the first time in a fiscal
Exim News Service - Navi MUMBAI, March 27 Top
In a significant landmark that buttresses its stature as the country's premier container handling port, and is also reflective of India's growing international trade, Jawaharlal Nehru Port has crossed, for the first time, a throughput of 5 million TEUs in a fiscal. As per the latest information available at the time of going to press, the port had handled nearly 5.04 million TEUs in 2018-19, a few days before the end of the financial year.

It has thus become the first Indian port to cross this milestone. Its throughput was 4.83 million TEUs in 2017-18.

Of the port's five terminals, APM Terminals Mumbai (GTI) maintained its No.1 position in volumes handled with over 2.01 million TEUs, while the Port Trust-run JNPCT registered 1.04 million TEUs.

DP World's NSIGT and NSICT handled about 9.31 lakh and 5.47 lakh TEUs, respectively, while PSA International's BMCT had a throughput of nearly 5.03 lakh TEUs, it is learnt.

Adani Ports becomes first Indian port operator to record 200 MMT cargo movement Milestone makes APSEZ among top 5 fastest growing port players in the world
Exim News Service - Ahmedabad, March 28 Top
It was business as usual for nearly two dozen merchant vessels bound to 9 different ports along India's east and west coasts on Thursday, March 21, 2019.

But little did the thousands of people working on the busy day know that they were part of scripting history. It was the day when Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ), India's largest private port operator which runs these ports, recorded cargo movement of more than 200 million metric tonnes (MMT). It became the first Indian port operator to achieve the milestone in a fiscal (2018-19). This has not been an easy journey. The company overcame many challenges through the strength of character and conviction of its people, it emphasised in a release.

Adani Ports embarked its journey in 2001 when it was unheard of for private players to enter into the port sector. The demands were huge both technical and financial. Driven by its strong conviction, APSEZ took the leap and ventured into the unknown. Within a span of two decades, it has become one of the largest port operators in the world.

"Our projections were to reach this milestone by 2020 but we could achieve it ahead of schedule courtesy the tech-driven operational efficiency and enhanced asset utilisation. Robust capacity addition at our leading ports such as Dhamra and Mundra as well as deepening presence closer to the hinterland with new facilities such as Ennore and Kattupalli played a critical role in this journey," said Mr Karan Adani, Chief Executive Officer, APSEZ. He added that focus on adding value as an integrated logistics player and coastal shipping of coal further bolstered the process.

It started with Mundra Port but later on there were additions to the portfolio.Non-major ports were developed at Hazira, Dhamra, Dahej and the newest baby at Kattupalli. Terminals were developed within Major Ports of the country at Ennore, Kandla, Goa and Vizag from 2005 to 2018. Mundra Port remains the crown jewel, but the feat of handling 200 MMT cargo has not been achieved by one port alone. Proximity and rail/road connectivity to the vast and rich north-western hinterland, state-of-the-art modern port infrastructure and equipment, zero waiting time for ships, faster turnaround time and competitive rates contributed to this phenomenal growth of Adani Ports, the release highlighted.

This hasn't been a mad dash for cargo numbers either; the growth has been healthy with focus on efficiency, sustainability, technology and other tools to bring in higher efficiency. The sustainability initiatives in an around the port have resulted in lifting up of communities and bringing about development of a balanced ecosystem surrounding the port. APSEZL, through its commitment to safety and sustainability, has made initiatives like development of eRTGs which were unheard of till now in India.

"This achievement also reinstates the massive contribution of the ports sectors to India's economic transformation. With 90 per cent of the country's trade (by volume) dependent on the sea, this milestone is another indicator of our efforts towards nation-building," said Mr Karan Adani, adding that collectively the company has generated over 100,000 jobs, educated over 25,000 students and touched over 200,000 lives.

Going forward, APSEZ has set its sights on higher targets with aims to double growth up to 400 MMT by 2025. The target does not seem difficult considering the tech-driven innovations to integrate the conventional business processes with the new-age digital technologies. Fleet and fuel management, asset monitoring, digitalisation of processes, mobility, operational intelligence and performance monitoring of the applications-the journey that began around a year ago has begun reaping benefits, the release added.

"The focus for the immediate future is to reduce the turnaround time, drive up volumes without adding resources and increase in-transit visibility utilisation by eliminating unproductive trips, among other benefits. The sweetest part of the deal is for our customers who get real-time status of operations from the comfort of their locations," added Mr Adani.

Kolkata Port planning to set up a barge terminal at Balagarh
India Seatrade News - Kolkata, March 28 Top
Kolkata Port Trust (KoPT) is planning to set up a barge terminal at Balagarh in West Bengal's Hooghly district, a top KoPT official said on Wednesday.

The cost of the project would be 300 crore (3 billion), KoPT chairman Vineet Kumar said.

Kumar speaking at the Bharat Chamber of Commerce here, said the idea for setting up the barge terminal was to decrease the congestion at the Kolkata port. The work would start by the end of September when the port would go for bidding. He maintained that terminal would come up on 300 acres of land which is owned by the KoPT.

Saying that the Kolkata port was growing at nine per cent, he added that KoPT was the second highest growing port in the country out of the 12 major ports.

Last year, the port handled 58 million tonne of cargo.

"So far, already 62 million tonne have been handled so far. Roughly, another one million tonne will be handled in the full fiscal", he said. He said that challenges were there as KoPT was a riverine port hence there was a problem of draft.

In October, the first Cape vessel was handled by the port which had carrying capacity of 1.67 lakh tonne.

He said with the revival of the steel industry, KoPT was having a good future for which it was planning additional berths at Haldia.

"There is also a lot of scope for handling LPG and LNG cargo as well", he said.

Kumar said KoPT was focusing on container cargo as it was city port.

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