11th Biennial Conference on Ports Shipping & Logistics

Cont’d. from Pg. 6 where he described how the Non-Vessel Operating Common Carriers’s (NVOCC) business model revolves around the container's mobility and noticeable ways to generate revenues. Considering the case, It is required to offer a seamless and consistent service at a competitivepricetothecustomers.

PanelDiscussion3-SustainableandGreenLogistics

ThesessionwaschairedbyMr.AmitabhKumar,IRS, FormerDG,DirectorateGeneralofShipping.

This CXO Panel included Senator Dr. PKC Bose, ViceChairmanandMD,EnerconWindEnergyPvtLtd; Mr. Atit Mahajan, MD, CMA-CGM India; Mr. R Mukundan, MD and CEO, Tata Chemicals Ltd.; Ms. Kavita Jain, VP Supply Chain, South Asia, Hindustan Unilever Ltd. and Mr. Pavithran Kallada, ManagingDirector-India,PSABDP.

Mr. Amitabh Kumar mentioned a report by NITI Aayog which stated how carbon emission can be reducedinbothrailandwatertransport. Thetargetshould be to reduce carbon emissions by 40% by 2030 and 60% by 2050.

Outofthetotalcargoshipped,invalueterms,56%ofthe totalcargowasoil.Ifthecountryreducedtheuseofoil,then it could reduce the cost associated with it. We would be the biggest manufacturing hub in the world in thenextfew yearssoitwouldbeimportanttohaveasound anduninterruptedlogisticssector.Vesseloperationshadto besustainable.

Mr. PKC Bose suggested the use of Carbon fibre in making vessels which would result in lighter vessels along with lower carbon emissions. A 10% of reduction in carbon footprint could be easily achieved if logistics could be plannedinasmartmanner.Thenext10%couldbeachieved by using biofuels and LNG. Mr. Atit Mahajan said that the last 10% would be a difficult target since it required increasingthescaleofoperations.

Mr. Pavithran suggested that we should work on a policy framework, focusing on manufacturing trucks in India because that will help in reduction in cost of logistics as essentially a partnership across all the entities involved manufacturers,transportersandtheendusers.

The Valedictory session began with the address of the Chief Guest, Shri. Shripad Naik, Hon’ble Minister ofStateforPort,ShippingandWaterways. He began by saying that the maritime sector has the potential to play a crucial role in driving the country's economic growth considering India's coastline spreading over 7,500 km. ÄHe appraised that the Indian government has launched several initiatives to boost the maritime sector, including the Sagarmala Programme, which aims to modernise India’s ports, create new infrastructure, and enhance the coastal shipping and inland waterways transport systems.

He emphasised on a few key aspects of SagarmalaAround 191 port connectivity projects have been identified and It is in various stages of implementation and development under Sagarmala Initiatives. He said that the PPP model will play an important role in the growth and development of the Maritime sector and Shipping industry in India. This model will help in developing a strong and well-functioning maritime transport infrastructure, which will facilitate efficient operation of Indian ports. Furthermore, the Indian government is also promoting coastal shipping as a more environmentally friendly and cost-effective mode of transport. The sector has the potential to create significant employment opportunities, both directly and indirectly. In addition to promoting the growth of the maritime transport sector, the government is also focusing on developing related industries such as shipbuilding, ship repair, and marine tourism. He emphasised that the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of the maritime sector in ensuringthecontinuityofglobaltrade.

Panel4:Strategicrecommendations

Mr. Mihir Shah, Partner, EY moderated the strategic session wherein he highlighted that the shipping and logisticsindustryisakeyenablerofinternationaltrade,and itplaysavitalroleinconnectingmarketsandpeopleacross the world. However, this industry is facing a number of significant challenges and disruptions, from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic to the ongoing shifts in consumer behaviour and technological innovation. Given the background, this session helped to summarise the proceedings of the conference along with strategic recommendations, as a result of this conference - to the Government & stakeholders at large. He said that these strategic recommendations will pave a way to India towardsbecomingaglobaltradepowerhouseby2047!

Dr. Sanjeev Ranjan, IAS, Chairman, National Shipping Board pointed out that the technology is driving innovation in this sector, with the potential to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance the customer experience. To support innovation, the Indian government haslaunchedseveralinitiatives,suchastheULIPPlatform in order to create a nationwide single window logistics platformforend-to-endvisibilitybyintegratinginformation available with various Govt. agencies across the value chain.HetalkedabouttheMaritimeVisionDocument2030, released by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi where he emphasised the importance of Green Ports, GreenLogistics,Renewablesourcesetc.

Shri Unmesh Sharad Wagh, IRS, Chairman In Charge, JNPA, addressed the operational challenges faced by Industry within the port area. In response, he highlighted various initiatives taken up by JNPA in order to improvetheefficiencyoftheport.Hesaidthatefficiencycan be measured with respect to time and cost. To conclude, in ordertoincreaseefficiencyintheLogisticssector,weneedto focus on three major factors: 1. Creation of adequate infrastructure,2.SimplificationofProcess3.Digitalisation.

The viewpoint of the consumer was presented by Mr. Animesh Gupta, President JSPL. He emphasised that 56% of our overall cargo was made up of oil cargo, and the remaining 44% others, in which 39% contributed to bulk cargo, 52% Containerisation, 9% others. He said there is a huge potential for growth in bulk Cargo as there are numerous technology interventions in this area. He shared the sustainability perspective by reiterating the example given by Hon’ble minister Shri Nitin Gadkari and Shri. G D Yadav of implementing the green hydrogen techniqueforagreenersupplychain.

Mr. Sandeep Khosla, Director General, BombayChamberofCommerceandIndustry presented theVoteofThanks.

The conference was supported and encouraged by the Ministry of Shipping. We roped in E&Y, the Knowledge Partner, presented a thought leadership document based on the industry survey. This conference succeeded in connecting a diverse group of stakeholders of the maritime industry with a common vision of making a strong, efficient port and logistics sector in India and improving competitiveness.