AHMEDABAD : Under the visionary leadership of Hon'ble Chief Minister Shri Narendrabhai Modi, the vibrant ports of Gujarat have achieved the new heights by handling 259 million tonnes of cargo in FY 2011-12. Gujarat ports are numero uno in the country by handling about 70% cargo of the non-major ports and about 28% cargo share of the total maritime trade of the nation.The total port capacity of Gujarat grew by 39 MMTPA to reach 323 MMTPA in 2011-12. As projected in Maritime Agenda 2020, capacity of Gujarat ports is targeted to be increased to 864 million tonnes by FY 2019-20.
As projected in Maritime Agenda 2020, capacity of Gujarat ports is targeted to be increased to 864 million tonnes by FY 2019-20. This implies that the port capacity of GMB ports compared to major ports which presently stands at 40% will increase to 60% by 2020.
As part of the Vibrant Gujarat Summit 2013 the Global Business Hub, the Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB), had on 11 January, 2013 organized a seminar with the theme “Enhancing Sustainability in Ports and Port-led development in Gujarat”.
The seminar was inaugurated by Shri Babubhai Bokhiria, Hon'ble Minister of Gujarat and was attended by more than 600 delegates from various countries as well as high profile delegates from large multi-national industrial houses connected with the ports and shipping sector. A galaxy of reputed speakers who participated in the event included Chairman of Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust, CEO of the Port of Antwerp, CEO of the Port of Israel, Shipping Corporation of India, and many more.
The main focus of the seminar was to discuss strategies and best practices for enhancing sustainable development initiatives on safety, security, efficiency of maritime activities, enhance marine environment protection as well as identify manpower requirement for specialized maritime services. Maritime cluster development also was one of the important focus areas during the seminar.
At the inaugural session Shri Babubhai Bokhiriya spoke about the various developments that have been happening in the port sector over the years. He was quoted saying “GMB has been playing a catalytic role in transforming the port sector into the growth engine for the state of Gujarat. Since its inception GMB has gradually developed Gujarat as the 'Numero-Uno' State in the maritime sector.” In the opening remarks, drawing reference to the development of port cities planned by GMB, Shri Pankaj Kumar, VC & CEO, Gujarat Maritime Board said that “Ports affects the development of urban centres; ports also affect the social fabric of the people living there. Sustainability is not only in the ports operation but also the life of the ecosystem around the ports, the people, flora and fauna.”
Port Development being the main theme, sessions were allocated into Planning Perspective and Stakeholder Perspective. The sessions were presided over by Shri L. Radhakrishnan, Chairman of Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust and Mr. Gordon Rankine, Director of Becket Rankine Ltd. respectively. Eminent industry speakers of port companies from countries like Australia, Belgium, Holland and Israel were present on the dais who put forth their views on the critical areas of concern and challenges that need to be addressed as well as provided various suggestions and opportunities for growth of the maritime sector.
The sessions focused on topics pertaining to the development of Green Ports, Sustainable Development of Ports, Human Resource Development in the maritime sector, Sustainable Finance for Maritime Industry, Cluster Development, Sustainable Port Development for Investor's Perspective and Operations Management.
Speaking during the seminar, Mr Hans G Enggrob, Managing Director, DHI (India) Water & Environment Pvt. Ltd. discussed the importance of hydraulic design which would provide optimization of marine infrastructure in water environment with respect to cost, risk, safety and environment during its entire lifecycle. Talking about training people, Prof. G. Raghuram said “Knowledge of the Ocean is the Ocean of Knowledge.”
Mr. Gunther Ginckels, Chief Executive Officer, Port of Antwerp International, Belgium put forth his views on the Operations Management for ports and said that “Gujarat Ports account for one 3rd of the total Indian cargo throughput. This is because of the dynamic and economically focused policies and strategy of the Gujarat Maritime Board which has allowed private initiatives to contribute actively to the growth and development of the Port sector.”
The visit of the Hon'ble Chief Minister, Shri Narendrabhai Modi boosted the enthusiasm among the participants. Numerous Indian companies are planning to drop anchors on Gujarat's shores. The State is likely to harbor investments for various facilities in the port sector, this was well proven during this Vibrant Gujarat Summit 2013.
The players who have shown interest includes Cargo Motors in joint venture with Amarillis Ltd., Israel, Swan Teekay Corporation Canada, Furnas Turkey, including existing port players of Shell, Adani, Essar, ABG and others. Total 63 MoUs were signed with various projects of port expansion, LNG terminals and shipyard projects.
Simultaneously to the Vibrant Gujarat Summit 2013, a mega-scale trade show called Vibrant Gujarat Global Trade Show '13 was also organized. Taking cue from the happenings around the world, GMB decided to go ahead with a unique theme of Containers for this year's Trade Show Pavilion. GMB Exhibits had Double Stack Containers with facilities for holding meetings inside, live models of RO-RO ferries, a prototype of double stack container trains and various other special features to attract the buyer-seller, investors and various other business networking opportunities. The pavilion also gave close real-time glimpses of under-water life and vessel movement. During the 6 days of exhibition, more than 2.5 lakh participants visited the GMB pavilion.
Gujarat ports have the responsibility and capability to serve the fast industrial and economic development of the State as well as other land-locked states. GMB is prepared to undertake this responsibility for leveraging large waterfront through integrated planning of ports and connecting infrastructure.
