Need to develop minor ports stressed

KOCHI: Increasing fleet strength, augmenting port infrastructure and a conducive environment of policies are needed for development of shipping industry in the country, Vice-Admiral B Kannan of the Indian Navy has said.He was speaking at ‘Ships 2011’, a two-day conference on strategies, human resources, infrastructure, process and security in the Indian ship building industry, organised by the National Maritime Foundation and the Confederation of Indian Industry in Kochi on Tuesday.  Admiral Kannan pointed out the need for developing non-major ports in the country and also to make effective use of private shipyards. Reviewing major aspects of ‘Maritime Agenda 2010-20’, prepared by the Shipping Ministry, he pointed at the policies and measures to be taken in that connection.  “Majority of maritime trade is being handled by the major ports in the country. Enhancing capacity of cargo vessels is needed,” he said.  “The operating cost of ships has to be brought down. Oil prices are going up. We need to keep international trends in mind while bringing in changes in the shipping industry. While developing ports, focus should be on accommodating big ships,” Admiral Kannan said.Ports secretary Manoj Joshi said the state government had been taken measures to develop the minor ports in the state. “Discussions are in progress for developing minor ports in Kollam and Kannur,” he said. Cochin Port Trust chairman Paul Antony said that availability of land was one of the major hurdles in setting up a ship building facility.  Delivering the keynote address, he said “the ship building industry in the country needs massive support”.  National Maritime Foundation director Vice Admiral Pradeep Kaushiva said that ship building should be a strategic industry in India.