While India can said to have entered the free trade zone era with Arshiya International, the Mumbai-based supply chain and logistics infrastructure solutions company, flagging of the first of its five free trade zones in Panvel near Mumbai on Wednesday, August 18, the Gujarat Pipavav Port IPO is providing the maritime and allied industries a talking point around which many port and infrastructure developers are shaping their future plans.
A few days from now you would witness DP World launching the country's first transshipment hub at Vallarpadam in Kerala, thereby helping India handle its own cargo without depending on foreign ports to transship cargo for this emerging consumerist nation. All these developments undoubtedly mark the shaping up of India as a redoubtable force in the logistics and maritime world. "I have been truly amazed by the growth of the Indian shipbuilding industry over the past few years, and the pace of development is truly incredible," said Noboru Ueda, chairman and president of ClassNK, who recently took over as chairman of International Association of Classification Socieities (IACS), when he was in India last week on the invitation of Indian Register of Shipping. What he said about shipbuilding is applicable to other sectors of the maritime India as well. Mark his words: "I have been truly amazed by the growth of the Indian shipbuilding industry over the past few years, and the pace of development is truly incredible," he said. "However, I think this is only the beginning for the Indian Maritime industry, and I am confident that India will become one of the world's leading maritime nations in the years to come. This is already becoming apparent on the shipbuilding side with yards like ABG Shipyard, but as India's economy grows, I am sure India will become a leading ship owning nation as well." India will. But if we need to actualise most of the dreams that Mr Ueda shared, more than visionaries, the country needs entreprenuers who have the conviction, courage and patience like Mr Mittal who is ready to pump in Rs 27 crore and go the whole hog to translate his vision to reality. When we have such dedicated visionaries, India can also proclaim ‘There is a way’. - V Ayyappan (This fortnightly column will scan maritime and other related industries. Send your feedback to a_vazhayil@indiatimes.com) |
