DGS’s Stimulus package set to boost coastal shipping

The Director General of Shipping has assured a stimulus package to boost coastal shipping. This could not only dramatically enhance employment but also lead to a significant shift in cargo movement from the ‘costlier’ road and rail networks to the ‘cheaper’ and more environment-friendly water transport systems along the coast and through inland waters.

Ms Lakshmi Venkatachalam, Director General of Shipping, Government of India promised the trade various measures that she would take in this regard while deliberating on the Directorate’s notification for the construction, survey, certification and operation of Indian River-Sea vessels at a seminar held under the aegis of the Indian Coastal Conference at the Indian Merchants’ Chambers on February 25, 2009.

While making his presentation, Mr Atul Jadhav, President of Goa Barge Owners’ Association informed that though the notification allows for seamless integration of coastal vessels with river barges, awareness about this aspect; its purpose and usefulness is seriously lacking. Besides, various maritime boards have not yet come out with relevant notifications to this effect.

“On the manning side there is a tremendous shortage of engineers whereas officers on the nautical side expect salaries applicable to foreign going vessels, which is not at all feasible,” he informed. “While operating on the coast or inland waters, officers may have to double up as watch keepers, or undertake other functions besides their own for which they are not amenable. Those on the coast operate on a thin margin of around Rs 40,000 to Rs 60,000 making it impracticable to pay exorbitant salaries. “

Making a comparison with road transport Mr. Aditya Suklikar of Indian Costal Conference stated that water transport would get the required impetus if manning was taken out of the purview of STCW since employing master mariners and other marine officers for coastal or river transport was too expensive. He advocated the need to tap the vast source of ITI approved diploma holders from various institutes. He also desired that the CDC requirement be waived for Class IV vessels.

Mr Atul Jadhav appealed for the framing of a separate set of rules for coastal and river operations. He desired that the CDC requirement be done away with for all coastal vessels. “It would suffice to have just two workers having knowledge of only the elementary requirements of navigating along the coast,” he said. “Hence, a simpler course could be devised under the certificate of competency examinations.

“The duties and responsibilities assigned under the ISM code should be moderated or done away with, since much time is wasted in paper work besides adding to costs. In China there are 13,000 vessels operating along the coast since regulations are much simpler,” he said. “Because of the stringent requirements applicable here, and despite having a much long coastline, we in India have only around 45 vessels operating. In each state there are different regulations that are being observed, as in Goa night navigation is not allowed only for river-sea vessels as allowed under the DGS notification while all other vessels even though they are much bigger are allowed to operate in the night.”

Barge operators want some kind of permanent committee to keep tabs on the implementation and working of the notification and to help in streamlining any difficulties faced. It was pointed out that the trade was competing with the road and rail networks which are not subject to customs regulations and those applicable under the merchant shipping act which the people involved in coastal and inland waterway transport have to adhere to.

Agreeing with the demand to do away with the present pre-sea training or structured training for those who aspire to man coastal vessels and not to insist on having those who have been trained to serve on foreign going vessels Capt M. M. Saggi, Nautical Advisor to the Government of India said, “For River-Sea vessels it would suffice to have just one person who gets qualified under a new short-term simplified course - the format of which would consist of some harmonized standards for Class IV vessels. The candidate would get certified according to some model rules and work in all states without hurdles. By introducing this new course it would help in generating immense manpower.

“We need a paradigm change for a new transport model for River-Sea Vessels as it requires different kinds of skills,” stated Ms Lakshmi Venkatachalam, IAS, Director General of Shipping. “We will develop some kind of ‘hybrid’ course/curriculum for River-Sea vessels. We need to have a dialogue with customs and TAMP authorities. Our territorial waters are the last bastion so let’s get it right – No short cuts.”

For creating awareness in various players and officials of different government departments, Ms Venkatachalam agreed to have a number of seminars at state level through ICC where all players could be brought together. “ICC should also look at ‘top of the line’ emergent technologies and devise ways to attract investments,” she suggested. “They also need to hold a meeting with the Secretary - Shipping since he also looks at the road and highway transport. ICC can certainly form two or three contact groups whether in relation with training or principles, etc. I would be happy to meet with these on a regular basis.”

Suggesting a way forward she also proposed that the trade should consider availing of Ro-Ro vessels for transport of cars along the coastal routes. Similarly other goods and supplies of industry in general, could be encouraged to avail of the cheaper environment friendly coastal route.

Offering her sincere advice to the trade, Ms Venkatachalam counselled, “Coastal shipping has failed, but Coastal shipping must and can succeed. Though much is said about short sea shipments in Western and developed countries but it is not all hunky-dory there. Please start comparing at every forum and avenue available to project what the nation is losing out by investing more in the rail and road sector instead of in coastal trade which do not require construction of highways.”