Pratik Bijlani – The Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) in India is finalizing groundbreaking regulations that will require international container lines operating in Indian waters to reserve at least 5% of their cargo space for Indian domestic operators. This move is part of the Indian government’s broader strategy to enhance the competitiveness of Indian flag…
Pratik Bijlani – Visakhapatnam Port Authority (VPA) has achieved a new milestone by handling 41.79 million metric tons (MMTs) of cargo in the first half of FY 2024-25, marking a 6% growth compared to 39.60 MMTs in the same period last year. This growth is attributed to increased handling of key commodities, including crude oil,…
On September 27th, the International Maritime Federation (IMF) hosted a successful Mental Health and Wellbeing Training Seminar at The Park Hotel in Belapur. The event drew together seafarers, officers, and IMF members, demonstrating a collective commitment to promoting mental health awareness within the maritime industry. Renowned experts Dr AM Hajwane, Ms Liza Hazarika, Dr Amol…
Recently, a series of malicious posts have circulated, aiming to tarnish the reputations of certain leaders within the Maritime Union of India and undermine the integrity of the Union itself. These posts are not only poorly conceived but also venomous and vengeful, clearly motivated by envy and personal agendas. Such attempts to defame this esteemed…
A misnomer for meritorious entry to administrative services, not by breaking preserved queues but of necessity, welcomed to improve services to citizens: it being the primary duty of government servants, its abject failures is what is being corrected. For, those with high IQ selected, trained and posted, most often fail to perform due to various…
In the light of the ongoing Iran-Israel war, the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) following an advisory from the Ministry of External Affairs has in turn issued an advisory for seafarers, RPS agents, and employers/vessel-owners to avoid travel to Iran till further notice. The DG Shipping in its advisory mentions that due to the ongoing…
The Federation of Freight Forwarders’ Associations in India (FFFAI) proudly inaugurated its Skill Development Center in Dronagiri, Maharashtra, on September 17, under the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) 4.0. The event marked a significant milestone in FFFAI’s efforts to bridge the skills gap in the logistics sector. Eminent dignitaries, including Mr DS Garbyal, Commissioner…
The International Maritime Federation (IMF) held its 9th Annual General Meeting on September 27th at The Park Hotel in Belapur, bringing together members from various sectors of the maritime industry. Chairman Mr. Vivek Rastogi kicked off the meeting with a warm welcome, highlighting the importance of collaboration and innovation within the maritime community. The keynote…
OM Maritime has made a significant move by securing its first-ever newbuildings from Jiangxi New Jiangzhou Shipbuilding Heavy Industry in China. This Singapore-based niche tanker company has placed firm orders for two stainless steel chemical tankers, each with a deadweight tonnage of 13,800 dwt. These state-of-the-art vessels will feature twelve duplex stainless steel cargo tanks,…
It has been a bad week for President Zelensky of Ukraine, for lame-duck President Biden of the US, and for Nato. And all for the same reason: western dithering in the face of Putin’s empty threats to resort to the use of tactical nuclear weapons. The transatlantic alliance eventually got around to supplying old battle…