Joshi calls for focus on coastal shipping
The day is not far when India will have a completed logistics system at par with those of developed nations, says H K Joshi, Chairperson, and Managing Director, Shipping Corporation of India (SCI)
“With the vision of vocal for local, we need to ensure that we are truly being a global maritime nation and need to work on logistics cost,” Joshi told the virtual National Maritime and Inland Waterways Conclave-2021 organized by PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry on 18 May 2021.
“We need to focus on coastal shipping and inland waterway and transportation and make a revolution in the Indian logistics sector,” she stressed.
She feels that MSMEs based out of tier 2 cities can help enhance connectivity and cargo-carrying capacity. Such accessibility to hinterland can also open up new markets.
“We need to have serious commitments towards sustainability and building sustainable business models.”
India has an extensive network of potential, navigable inland waterways in the form of rivers, canals, etc. The country has huge cargo to move around, but the infrastructure is a challenge in reviving waterways commercial, Joshi felt. Challenges persist but freight transportation by waterways needs to be utilized properly in the country.
The business of transportation must be profitable and operationally successful without harming the business environment of the future. Inland waterways have the potential to open up large and accessible hinterland for the supply of goods which can be transported at a lower cost, she said.
Joshi emphasized that essential commodities have scope for utilizing the multi-modal network for optimal connectivity. India’s social and industrial sustenance shall continue to be highly dependent upon the huge shipping apparatus with the blue economy, an important contributor towards India’s growth.
The multimodal web of water, road, and rail will help the region’s industries and manufacturing units move goods seamlessly between different modes of transport and bring the competitiveness of Indian products to the global markets.
She also shared that Maritime India Vision 2030 and Sagarmala Programme are very well integrated and lay emphasis on port-led industrialization to improve the country’s logistics sector along with other benefits like reduced vehicle pollution, reduced rate of accidents which will benefit the economy overall.
The maritime sector consists of a vast area of business and infrastructure such as ports, shipping, shipbuilding and recycling, multi-modal logistics, direct port development, and inland waterways.
The Indian Government has played a proactive role in heralding policy changes and providing a conducive environment to the businesses for encouraging investments in these sectors. #investment #infrastructure #projects #shipping #water /fiinews.com
