...to facilitate collaboration between the multitude of logistics companies operating in India, Belgium and Europe
MUMBAI: In what can be termed as a path breaking event, the Port of Antwerp and AMTOI (Association of Multi Modal Transport Operators of India) have come together and will be signing a MoU to facilitate collaboration between the multitude of logistics companies operating in India, Belgium and Europe at large. This is envisaged to be called “INDIA NATIE”, there could not have been a better name for this entity than India Natie. The Natie word means "Nation" in Flemish language. The proposed name of India Natie, has been derived by referring to the well known “Naties” in the Antwerp Port, being logistic companies in the port of Antwerp, specialized in handling, storing, forwarding and transporting goods.
This MoU will be signed today at a reception hosted by the Port of Antwerp where in Mr. Marc Van Peel, Chairman, Port of Antwerp and Mr. Eddy Bruyninckx, CEO of Port of Antwerp will be present in person to meet the representatives from the Indian trade.
AMTOI will be represented by President Mr. Anand Sheth and all the committee members.
The need of this initiative was envisaged looking at the constant challenge faced by members of the trade in both the countries in finding the right partner in the other country to pursue opportunities of collaboration, expansion or simply to handle the cargo. So if any of the Indian companies were seeking a partner in Antwerp or Europe or companies in Europe were seeking partnership in India, they would explore that ideas either through referrals, or be a part of network or at the most participate in an exhibition. This process is mostly adhoc in nature and may not guarantee the right partner.
The concept of India Natie will exactly address this issue, India Natie is expected to offer a stable platform form on a continuous basis backed by the Port of Antwerp and AMTOI thus ensuring identification of right partners, access to legal advise, access to relevant govt bodies in India and Belgium and also access to port infrastructure in Antwerp when
ever required.
Once the MoU is signed both parties are expecting to bring together Indian exporters, logistics companies and shippers with Antwerp based companies, the Port Authority and purchasers in Europe; and vice versa (exporters from Europe to India).
The parties have decided to immediately start a feasibility study and objectives of this feasibility are setting clear goals, develop the concept of a responsive tool, and investigate how to guarantee collaboration of players involved, and to make it an active working instrument. Representatives of AMTOI are expected to visit Antwerp to hold discussions with the private companies in the Port via their representative associations to evaluate the response to this concept. Going forward both parties have envisaged creation of a virtual platform in form of a web portal which will ease the communication and facilitate the contacts. Further they have also set out a ambitious target of creation of a physical platform (warehouse or alike) in Antwerp which will be available the members of the trade to enhance the relations between India and the Port of Antwerp and Europe at large which is proposed to be called the INDIA PAVILION. If the feasibility proves positive and if both parties agree to continue, a new agreement will be made describing the responsibilities and tasks of both parties in the further process.
It may be noted here that AMTOI is a association which was formed in the year 1998 to facilitate Multimodalism in India, and is the sole body of Licensed Multimodal Transport Operators.
Port of Antwerp is the second largest in Europe which had handled approx 187 Million tons of cargo in year 2011 and has been recently visited by the largest container ship in the world MV Edith Maersk, and will soon be visited by its sister ship, the m/v Eleonora Maersk, to Antwerp. These ships have a LOA of nearly 400 m and a capacity of 15,500 TEUs.
