Government approves creation of Indian Maritime casualty Investigation Cell
The Ministry of Shipping has approved creation of Indian Maritime Casualty Investigation Cell in view of recent growth in marine traffic which resulted in increasing incidence of shipping causalities and consequent loss of lives, ships and pollution to the marine environment.
One of the primary objectives of the Cell will be to conduct investigation into the causes of casualty and incidents in accordance with the provisions of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 bearing in mind the mandatory tenets of the International Maritime Organization Casualty Investigation. This will be in line with the Code of the International Standards and recommended Practices for a safety investigation into a Marine Casualty or Marine Incident which the International Maritime Organisation brought into force from 1st January, 2010.
To man the Indian Maritime Casualty Investigation Cell, a total of six posts (one post of Deputy Head and 6 posts of Accident Investigator) have been created.
MINISTER ANSWERING IN PARLIAMENT
MAY21,2010 PORT OFICERS CALL OFF STRIKE
Port officers call off mass casual leave May 21
Thursday - May 20, 2010, 09:15am (GMT+5.5)
All India Major Ports & Docks Officers' Federation Wednesday called off its mass casual leave protest May 21 after an assurance from the shipping ministry on their pay and allowance revision.
Minister of state for shipping Mukul Roy has said that the issue of enhancement of pay and allowances to the port officers is under consideration, the federation said in a statement.
A total of 3,600 officers of 12 major ports across the country earlier planned to go on mass casual leave demanding pay revision for 64,000 port employees. According to the federation, the pay revision is due since Jan 1, 2007.
Apart from this, there are 11 other demands of the federation.
In a letter to Rama Kant Burman, zonal secretary of the federation, Roy said: "As you may be aware, the issue of enhancement of pay and allowances to the port officers is under consideration by the ministry of shipping and I have personally requested G.K. Vasan, minister of shipping, to resolve the matter at an early date."
APRIL26,2010
Due to global recession since second half of 2008, all the trade lines have seen a sharp decline in the sea freight rates. This information was given by the Minister of Shipping, Shri G.K. Vasan in Lok Sabha today.
The shipping demand is a derived demand and is dependent upon the trend in growth of world seaborne trade. The world seaborne trade which registered a growth of 4.0% in 2007 and 2.3% in 2008 had shown a decline of 3.4% in 2009. The collapse in key global financial markets since October, 2008 had a serious impact on shipping due to drastic reduction in trade and consequent fall in demand for shipping services
The dry bulk sector had felt the impact of the global financial crisis immediately. The average Baltic Exchange Capesize time charter rate which had peaked at $233,988 daily in July, 2008 reached a low of $ 2316 daily in December, 2008. This was a drop of 99% in just 6 months. The Baltic Dry Index (BDI) which had touched a historic low level of 715 in November, 2008 gradually picked up and the year 2009 ended with the index reaching at the level of 3000. In the first quarter of current year BDI hovered around at the same level of 3000. The container shipping also witnessed a subdued phase with a significant portion of the fleet idling. Tankers, on the other hand, had a good year in 2008 with earnings high enough to cover the costs. However, in 2009 the down turn finally set in, and the rates slipped to below cost levels, especially in the smaller vessel sizes. With the global oil requirement projected to shrink at about 1.5% to 2%, coupled with increase in tanker capacity, a widening gap in demand and supply has been created.
The LPG sector too followed the same pattern with very large gas carriers recording a decline of 60% in time charter rates and increase in idling due to lack of cargoes.
The Minister also informed that the depressed trends in the freight market are reported to have affected all the routes between the maritime countries.
APRIL19,2010
The Government has framed the model documents for award of contract for projects on Public Private Partnership (PPP) basis for Major Ports to bring uniformity and transparency in the bidding process. The following three model documents have been developed:-
(i) Request for Qualification (RFQ) which stipulates the minimum technical and financial capacity of the prospective bidders to qualify for the bidding stage;
(ii) Request for Proposal (RFP) which stipulates the terms and conditions for inviting the financial bids from the short listed bidders;
(iii) Model Concession Agreement (MCA) which contains the terms and conditions for the contract which is entered into by the Concessionaire and the Concessioning Authority for the PPP Project.
The above information was given by the Minister of Shipping, Shri G.K. Vasan in Lok Sabha today.
april 12,2010
The Indian Maritime University (IMU), Chennai, will enter into an academic collaboration with the Malta-based International Maritime Law Institute in June to provide specialised course in Maritime Law. Besides, it will also set up the Department of Maritime Law this year, said Union Shipping Minister G.K. Vasan on Sunday.
IMU Vice-Chancellor P. Vijayan and National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bangalore Vice-Chancellor R. Venkata Rao signed the MoU in the presence of Union Law Minister M. Veerappa Moily and Mr. Vasan.
As per the MoU, IMU will offer two elective subjects in Maritime Law to undergraduate students. Mr. Vijayan said “the two-year specialised course in Maritime Law will be offered at IMU Chennai/Cochin from July onwards. If we are able to sign the MoU with Malta, then we have the option of providing training to students in Malta for a year.”
According to him, within a short period of time IMU-Chennai has established six departments and it is in the process of signing MoU's with IIM-Ahmedabad and IIT-Chennai/Kharagpur to offer e-MBA and Naval Architecture courses.
Mr. Vasan said that if the Philippines could meet 30 per cent of global manpower requirement of maritime sector, why India can't do it? The need of the hour is to have a concerted effort to step up its offering from the current six per cent.
“Our economy is growing and we have to sustain the momentum. The growth in sea trade will lead to increased maritime disputes and this calls for creating world class maritime law experts. The MoU between IMU and NLSIU will fill in the vacuum. Both the institutions will collaborate in mutually agreeable academic events, faculty and student exchange and training and research,” he said.
India celebrates April 05 of the year as National Maritime Day. The celebration goes for a week and 47th National Maritime Week celebration has started with the theme “Seafaring – A Career of Opportunities” as International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has declared this year as “2010: Year of the Seafarer”
The Union Minister for Shipping, Shri G.K. Vasan is also presenting a memento to the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, on this occasion. The Minister of State for Shipping, Shri Mukul Roy, the Secretary (Shipping), Shri K. Mohandas and other dignitaries are also seen.
On the occasion of inauguration of 47th National Maritime Week, the Minister of Shipping Shri G.K. Vasan pinned the first Merchant Navy Flag on the wearing apparel of the Prime Minister of India Dr. Manmohan Singh. Shri Mukul Roy, Minister of State for Shipping, Shri K. Mohandas, Secretary (Shipping), Capt. PVK Mohan, Chairman, National Shipping Board, Ms. Lakshmi Venkatachalam, Director General of Shipping, Shri S. Hajara, CMD, Shipping Corporation of India Ltd. and Shri Abdul Gani Serang, Secretary General, National Union of Seafarers of India were also present on the occasion.
National maritime celebrations are weeklong celebrations, which culminate on 5 of April to commemorate the voyage of the first Indian Ship “S.S. Loyalty” from Mumbai to London on 5 April 1919. The National Maritime Day is celebrated every year on 5 April. The theme for this year is “Seafaring – A Career of Opportunities” which complements International Maritime Organisation’s theme for the year “2010: Year of the Seafarer”.
Historically, the National Welfare Board for Seafarers, a statutory body constituted under the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958, under the Chairmanship of the Union Minister of Transport, recommended at its Third Meeting held at Madras on 11th January, 1964 that the 5th April every year be celebrated as the National Maritime Day. It was on 5 April 1919 that the first Indian Steamship “S.S. LOYALTY” of M/s.Scindia Steam Navigation Co. Ltd., Mumbai, ventured into international water on her maiden voyage from Mumbai to London (UK). Several important maritime countries like U.S.A., Japan and Germany celebrate national Maritime Day.
The principal objective of celebrating the Day is to enable the public to know more intimately about the activities of the Indian Shipping Industry and the important role it plays in the economy of the country. The need for shipping industry and the requirement of seafarers are highlighted in various. Shipping has been called as ‘Silent Service’ as most of the shipping activity takes place away from the land and along with country’s sea borders, i.e. at the ports. In the vast sub-continent of India, the public at large has very limited opportunities to opportunities to observe for themselves the yeoman service rendered by the Indian Shipping for the promotion of the economic well being of the country. The observance of the National Maritime Day has, therefore served in bringing the people closer to the shipping industry and enabling them to participate in the celebrations and to share in the sense of pride and achievement at the rapid strides made by the Indian Shipping during the last five decades since the attainment of independence.
National martime day celebrations are held at all major ports viz. Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Goa, Visakhapatnam and Cochin and certain other ports like Kandla, Jamnagar, Paradip, Mangalore, Tuticorin, Karwar, etc. It includes laying of wreath at Seamen’s Memorials and pay tributes homage to seamen who laid down their lives while on high seas in 1st and 2nd world wars. On Merchant Navy Flag Day at New Delhi 1st Merchant Navy Flag is pinned on the wearing apparel of the Prime Minister of India by the Minister for Shipping. This practice has been prevalent from 2002 onwards. At the State level on Merchant Navy Flag Day the first Miniature Merchant Navy Flag is pinned on the wearing apparel of the Governor of Maharashtra by the Director General of Shipping in Mumbai.
MINISTER PHOTOS WHILE INSPECTING PORTS
Jan24,2010
nion Minister for Shipping G.K. Vasan on Saturday called upon the shipping industry to increase its operational efficiency to become competitive.
Participating in the valedictory of the southern region shipping conclave organised by the Southern India Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Vasan said that modern cargo handling techniques must be introduced to improve port performance not just for containerised cargo but also for the dry bulk and conventional cargo. “The Shipping Ministry has focused its attention on formulating policies in these areas and is taking all steps in dealing with these issues with a view to develop the shipping sector in the country and make it internationally competitive.”
Referring to the improvement in the performance of ports, he said the average output per ship berth-day increased from 9,745 tonnes in 2006-2007 to 10,464 tonnes in 2008-2009. On an average, the pre-berthing waiting time on port account decreased from 10.05 hours to 9.60 hours and the average turn-around-time went down from 3.62 days to 2.44 days during the same period.
Through sustained efforts at capacity augmentation and productivity improvement, the major ports considerably improved efficiencies in handling cargo. Talking of minor ports, he said that they were expected to add about 350 million tonnes of additional capacity by 2012, taking the total handling capacity of the minor ports to 580 million tonnes by 2012. The combined capacity of all the major and non-major ports was projected to reach over 1.5 billion tonnes in two years. In addition, a proposal for road and rail connectivity to non-major ports with an estimated expenditure of Rs.500 crore was under consideration of the government.
As for the National Maritime Development Programme, all the projects in port, shipping and inland waterways sectors were expected to be completed by 2011-2012, Mr. Vasan added
April 6,2010
Capt T.D. Hazari was honored with the Award of Excellence in the Shipping Industry by the National Maritime Day Celebrations Committee on the grand finale of 47th National Maritime Day for his significant contribution to the nation and the shipping industry by Honorable Union Minister of Shipping Mr. G. K. Vasan.
National Maritime Day was first celebrated on 5th April, 1964 and is celebrated every year on 5th April. It commences with an inauguration during the Maritime Week, when the honorable Minister of Shipping, Secretary Shipping, Director General of Shipping, Chairman and Managing Director SCI, President INSA, Chairman National Shipping Board and other leading shipping dignitaries, meet the Prime Minister to flag off the Merchant Navy week
MARCH29,2010
On the occasion of inauguration of 47th National Maritime Week, the Minister of Shipping Shri G.K. Vasan pinned the first Merchant Navy Flag on the wearing apparel of the Prime Minister of India Dr. Manmohan Singh. Shri Mukul Roy, Minister of State for Shipping, Shri K. Mohandas, Secretary (Shipping), Capt. PVK Mohan, Chairman, National Shipping Board, Ms. Lakshmi Venkatachalam, Director General of Shipping, Shri S. Hajara, CMD, Shipping Corporation of India Ltd. and Shri Abdul Gani Serang, Secretary General, National Union of Seafarers of India were also present on the occasion.
National maritime celebrations are weeklong celebrations, which culminate on 5 of April to commemorate the voyage of the first Indian Ship “S.S. Loyalty” from Mumbai to London on 5 April 1919. The National Maritime Day is celebrated every year on 5 April. The theme for this year is “Seafaring – A Career of Opportunities” which complements International Maritime Organisation’s theme for the year “2010: Year of the Seafarer”.
Historically, the National Welfare Board for Seafarers, a statutory body constituted under the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958, under the Chairmanship of the Union Minister of Transport, recommended at its Third Meeting held at Madras on 11th January, 1964 that the 5th April every year be celebrated as the National Maritime Day. It was on 5 April 1919 that the first Indian Steamship "S.S. LOYALTY" of M/s.Scindia Steam Navigation Co. Ltd., Mumbai, ventured into international water on her maiden voyage from Mumbai to London (UK). Several important maritime countries like U.S.A., Japan and Germany celebrate national Maritime Day.
The principal objective of celebrating the Day is to enable the public to know more intimately about the activities of the Indian Shipping Industry and the important role it plays in the economy of the country. The need for shipping industry and the requirement of seafarers are highlighted in various. Shipping has been called as 'Silent Service' as most of the shipping activity takes place away from the land and along with country's sea borders, i.e. at the ports. In the vast sub-continent of India, the public at large has very limited opportunities to opportunities to observe for themselves the yeoman service rendered by the Indian Shipping for the promotion of the economic well being of the country. The observance of the National Maritime Day has, therefore served in bringing the people closer to the shipping industry and enabling them to participate in the celebrations and to share in the sense of pride and achievement at the rapid strides made by the Indian Shipping during the last five decades since the attainment of independence.
National martime day celebrations are held at all major ports viz. Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Goa, Visakhapatnam and Cochin and certain other ports like Kandla, Jamnagar, Paradip, Mangalore, Tuticorin, Karwar, etc. It includes laying of wreath at Seamen's Memorials and pay tributes homage to seamen who laid down their lives while on high seas in 1st and 2nd world wars. On Merchant Navy Flag Day at New Delhi 1st Merchant Navy Flag is pinned on the wearing apparel of the Prime Minister of India by the Minister for Shipping. This practice has been prevalent from 2002 onwards. At the State level on Merchant Navy Flag Day the first Miniature Merchant Navy Flag is pinned on the wearing apparel of the Governor of Maharashtra by the Director General of Shipping in Mumbai.
MARCH16,2010 CAPACITY OF MAJOR PORTS TO INCREASE
Rajya Sabha
17 Public Private Partnership (PPP) Projects are scheduled to be awarded in 2009-10) in order to increase the capacity of Major ports. Most of these Projects are under the National Maritime Development Programme (NMDP). The details of such projects are:
S. No.
Project Name
1.
Multi purpose berth at Port Trust Projects-I, Paradip Port Trust
2.
Mechanization of Central Quay-III Berth, Paradip Port Trust
3.
Installation of Mechanized handling facilities for fertilizers at EQ 7 in the Inner Harbour, Vishakhapatnam Port Trust
4.
Mechanized coal handling facilities at General cum Cargo Berth(CGB) in the Outer Harbour, Vishakhapatnam Port Trust
5.
Development of Container Terminal, New Mangalore Port Trust.
6.
Creation of Mega Container Terminal, Chennai Port Trust.
7.
Installation of Mechanized handling facilities at WQ 8 Vishakhapatnam Port Trust
8.
Installation of Mechanized handling facilities at WQ 7 Vishakhapatnam Port Trust
9.
Development of standalone container handling facility with a quay length of 330 m North of NSICT Terminal, Jawahar Lal Nehru Port Trust
10.
4th Container Terminal, Jawahar Lal Nehru Port Trust
11.
Construction of North Cargo Berth No. II at Tuticorin Port Trust
12.
Development of EQ 1 in East Dock, Vishakhapatnam Port Trust
13.
Development of EQ 1A in East Dock, Vishakhapatnam Port Trust
14.
Development and operation of 2 Berth at Indira Dock as dry bulk cargo terminal, Mumbai Port Trust
15.
Development and operation of a Berth at Indira Dock- as conventional cargo terminal, Mumbai Port Trust
16.
Creation of berthing and allied facilities off Tekkra near Tuna (outside Kandla Creek) – Kandla Port Trust
17.
Setting up of Single Point Mooring (SPM) and allied facilities off Veera in Gulf of Kutch, Kandla Port Trust
Chennai Port has proposed to develop Mega Container Terminal under Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode at an estimated cost of Rs.3686 crores. The capacity of berth is 48 million tonnes per annum. Tuticorin Port has also proposed to develop North Cargo Berth No. II under PPP mode at an estimated cost of Rs.332.16 crores. The capacity of berth is 7 million tonnes per annum.
This information was given by the Union Shipping Minister Shri G. K. Vasan, in written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
MARCH15,2010
Lok Sabha
Union Shipping Minister, Shri G. K. Vasan informed Lok Sabha today in a written reply that the Panel constituted in 2009, for increasing efficiency in Major Ports has made important policy recommendations for areas like port corporation, delegation of power, land use and captive use of port facilities, public-private partnership, dredging, environment and security clearance besides organizational matters.
The other recommendations are Berthing policy, Equipment policy, Stevedoring policy, IT policy, Standardisation policy, Investment policy. The recommendations have been examined and those found fit are being implemented.
The Committee has recommended that a policy may be formulated not to allow a competitor private port to bid for terminals within a major port if such private port exists within a radius of 100 Kms. which is expected to check the diversion of cargo.
MARCH8,2010Lok Sabha
The prevailing global credit crunch has been effecting the vessel acquisition programme of shipping companies as raising finance for ship acquisition has become increasingly difficult. The extreme volatility in charter rates has adversely effected the margins of the Shipping companies. On one hand, the declining asset prices has made banks reluctant to accept these assets in the form of collaterals, while on the other hand, the declining prices provide an opportunity for owners to acquire these assets, prices of which had reached exorbitant levels just about one year back.
The Indian National Shipowners’ Association which represents Indian Shipping Companies holding 90% of the Indian tonnage has represented for creation of Rs.10,000 crores Corpus for providing credit facilities to Indian Shipping Companies for acquisition of ships. The Finance Ministry had requested Indian Banks Association (IBA) to constitute a working Group to examine the proposed funding for Ship acquisition by Indian Shipping Companies from abroad. The Working Group met and formed a small group of Executives from various banks to examine the issue. The IBA then responded that the borrowers need to have negotiations with individual banks for its funding requirements and that the IBA has no role to play in the matter.
This information was given by the Union Minister of Shipping, Shri G. K. Vasan in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
MARCH8,2010 The Government has taken following steps to combat the incidents of piracy of ships/vessels.
(i) The Directorate General of Shipping has issued various advisories to ships/vessels transiting through Gulf of Aden providing information relating to piracy in the area and also providing details of patrol convoy timing followed by the Indian Naval vessel patrolling in the region.
(ii) Advisories and information obtained from various international forces present in the area are regularly forwarded to the Indian shipping fraternity.
(iii) An Indian Navy warship has been deployed in the area from 23.10.2008 to escort Indian ships and other ships seeking assistance.
(iv) The Indian delegation made intervention in the 101st Council meeting of the International Maritime Organization in London in November, 2008 and proposed a UN Task Force under a unified command to prevent the ever increasing piracy attacks off the Somali coast.
Till date only one Indian seafarer is reported to have been killed by pirates and the flag state is Panama. The death and injury compensation is the responsibility of ship owners who obtain insurance cover through Protection and Indemnity Club.
Government of India has also raised the matter at various international fora including the International Maritime Organization in order to invoke the intervention of the world body to control and combat this menace.
The details of hijacking of ships for the last three years and the current year are:
Year
No. of ships hijacked
Total No. of seafarers held hostage
No. of Indian ships hijacked
No. of Indian seafarers taken hostage on ships
No. of Indian MSV’s hijacked
No. of Indian seafarers taken hostage on MSV’s
2007
12
177
NIL
28
2
28
2008
42
795
NIL
50
1
13
2009
47
740
NIL
58
8
116
2010
03
67
NIL
05
1
14
This information was given by the Union Minister of Shipping, Shri G. K. Vasan in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
MARCH4,2010Creation of Major Port Trust for Andaman and Nicobar Islands
The Union Cabinet today approved the proposal of the Ministry of Shipping to declare Andaman and Nicobar set of Ports as major port and establish the Andaman and Nicobar Port Trust with its headquarters at Port Blair and to extend the applicability of the provisions of the Major Port Trusts Act, 1963 to this set of ports. The Cabinet also approved the proposal to disband the Port Management Board and transfer its establishment to the proposed Andaman and Nicobar Islands Port Trust and to bifurcate the Andaman and Lakshadweep Harbour Works and transfer a part of its establishment to the A&N Port Trust and to take consequential actions with reference to the above declaration.
The establishment of the Major Port Trust at Andaman and Nicobar Islands is expected to give attention to the development of the backward areas of the island group by increasing commercial activities, encouraging tourism, attracting foreign direct investment, supporting Tsunami rehabilitation programme and undertaking various developmental and welfare activities permitted under the provisions of the Major Port Trust Act, 1963. It will also supplement the capacity requirement of the Major Port Trust in the country; safeguard the Country’s strategic interest besides encouraging cruise tourism.
Background:
Port Development in the islands of Andaman and Nicobar has witnessed a systematic growth consistent with the requirement of administration. The strategic location of these Islands is potentially suitable for establishing major maritime infrastructure projects to service large volumes of cargo and large vessel volumes for the neighbouring ASEAN countries’ ports. The existing administrative set up of port, comprising of the Port Management Board, has limited powers to undertake the gigantic development work and a need has been felt to establish a corporate body with adequate administrative and financial powers, to accelerate the pace of development.
feb8,2010
The shipping ministry will extend all help for completion of two important port connectivity projects in Tamil Nadu, said Shipping Minister G.K. Vasan here Monday.
Speaking to reporters, Vasan said the road projects — the Ennore-Manali Road Improvement Project (EMRIC) and the 19-km Maduravoyal Elevated Expressway — will be completed in two years.
“The shipping ministry will render all help to the two ports (Chennai and Ennore) for the fast completion of the two projects,” he said after attending a review meeting here.
The 30 km Ennore-Manali road project, promoted by Chennai Ennore Port Road Co — a three way joint venture between Chennai Port Trust, Tamil Nadu government and National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) — had hit the block when the project cost went up to Rs.600 crore from the initial estimate of Rs.160 crore made 10 years ago.
The Chennai Port Trust had contributed Rs.38 crore
FEB3,2010
Major Ports capacity up by 48 per cent in last five years
A THREE-FOLD INCREASE PROJECTED BY 2025-26
The traffic handling capacity of Major Ports has gone up by about 48 per cent in the last five years. It has increased from 389.5 MT in 2003-04 to 574.77 MT in 2008-09.
A three-fold increase is projected in traffic handling capacity of Major Ports by 2025-26 by augmenting the capacity to 1595.07 MT. Shri G. K. Vasan, the Union Minister of Shipping gave this information in his opening remarks in the first Consultative Committee meeting of the Ministry held today after the constitution of 15th Lok Sabha.
He further informed that the traffic handled by Indian ports have registered a growth of 5.14 per cent in the period from April to December 2009 compared to the same period in 2008. Despite recessionary trends in the world economy, the traffic in India had registered a growth of 2.1 per cent during 2007-08, said Shri Vasan in the meeting of the Consultative Committee.
The 12 Major Ports, six each on the West and the East coast handled 72 per cnet of the total port traffic while 28 per cent of the port traffic was handled by 66 non-major ports. The first meeting of the Consultative Committee held today deliberated on the issues relating to development of Major Ports in the country. The National Maritime Development Programme (NMDP) and other major initiatives of the Government in the port sectors were discussed at length. The Committee was informed that NMDP spreads over a period of seven years starting from April 01, 2005. The programme will conclude in March 2012. 276 projects in all have been identified under the project with a total investment of Rs. 55804 crore. Of 276, 48 projects have already been completed and 70 are at various stages of implementation.
The Public Private Partnership (PPP) in Major Ports has been given priority in order to infuse funds, induct latest technology, improved management practices and for addition of capacity. FDI up to 100 per cent is also permitted for construction and maintenance of ports and harbours.
Revision of wage structure for port and dock workers has been another major initiative of the Government of India to incentivise the workforce and motivate it for better results. The wage structure settlement reached with the representatives of five major federations of port and dock workers on January 19, 2010 envisages an increase of 23 per cent in the wages of Class III and IV employees of Major Port Trusts and Dock Labour Boards. This settlement will be in force for five years from 2007 to 2011. The Members of the Consultative Committee in general appreciated the performance of the Major Ports. The Members underlined the importance of emphasis on road-rail connectivity of the ports, other projects under NMDP as also the steps taken for revisioning wage structure of the workforce. Improvement in river connectivity with Major Ports along with road and rail connectivity, priority on employing local people at Class III and IV levels, increase in number of berths etc., were among the important suggestions that emerged during the meeting.
Shri Mukul Roy, the Minister of State for Shipping, Secretary, Ministry of Shipping and Chairmen of the Major Ports, among others, attended the meeting.
JAN 5,2010
trike by Port & Dock workers averted
17:42 IST
Labour Unions of the employees / workers of Major Ports had threatened to go on strike from midnight of 4th January, 2010 in protest against non acceptance of some of their demands on wage revision of Class III & IV employees which is due from 1.1.2007. The dead lock on various issues between the management and the Trade Unions was resolved with the intervention of Hon’ble Minister of Shipping. Wage Settlement for a period of 5 years has been reached between the management and the major federations of Port and Dock Employees / Workers. The settlement will benefit about 60,000 Port employees and workers and will be effective from 1st January, 2007. The employees will get a fitment benefit of 23% and the arrear of hike in their pay and allowances will be paid w.e.f. 1st January, 2007. It will add an extra burden of about Rs.450 crores per year on the major Ports.
Major Federations of Port & Dock workers while welcoming the goodwill gesture of the management and Hon’ble Minister of Shipping for conclusion of the wage settlement to the satisfaction of Port Workers promised for better efficiency and productivity to off set the extra burden on the exchequer of Ports.
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