SPECIAL REPORT
"It's boom time for defence shipyards"
Since the last few years after the MoD (Ministry of Defense) loosened its hold over defence shipyards, GRSE buzzes with a capitalist energy never seen before. It has transformed itself into an organization that is versatile with broad spectrum capabilities ranging from design of warships and merchant ships to building them. Rear Admiral K. C. Sekhar [AVSM. VSM. IN (Retd.)], Chairman & Managing Director of Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd. elucidates the opportunities and challenges faced by the 126 year old organization...
- Rear Admiral K. C. Sekhar, Chairman & Managing Director of Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd

SPECIAL REPORT
Time and Tides of Indian Port Sector
Over the last decade, Indian Ports have seen some far reaching changes with private sector participation & Joint Ventures permitted under Major Port Trusts Act. Sudhir Rangnekar presents a case to show that if ports in India are to emerge as key facilitators and accelerators towards economic development, they need to be globally competitive...

- By Sudhir S. Rangnekar

SPECIAL REPORT
Indian Shipping Can Recover With a Little Help
"The economic meltdown may be almost over, but the Indian shipping industry should not expect an immediate recovery," says Sabyasachi Hajara, Chairman and Managing Director of Shipping Corporation of India. He is however optimistic that the worst is over. SMP World Team Report...

- By SMP World Team

COVER STORY
Capacity Upgrade to Keep Pace - India's Maritime to Keep Date
Shipping ministry invites participation in the form of PPP. Projects worth over Rs.60,000 crores on offer. The shipping ministry will sign 20 to 25 public-private partnership (PPP) agreements this year to boost port infrastructure in the country, according to Shipping Secretary A.P.V.N. Sarma. Shipping, Marine & Ports World team reports...

- By SMP World Team

COVER STORY
Concentrated Inspection Campaign to the Rescue of Lifeboat Operations
Port State Control is spearheading a "Concentrated Inspection Campaign" (CIC) globally on Lifeboats Safety. The target set is inspecting 10,000 ships across various ports. Many Port States have beefed up their inspection capacity by hiking up their inspection team through fresh recruitments. CK Muralidharan discusses the scenario surrounding Life Boats and related accidents...

- CK Muralidharan

COVER STORY
Manning crisis - shortage of marine personnel - way out
J. K. Dhar examines opportunities and challenges to the HR situation in shipping & marine in the Indian context...

- By J.K. Dhar

COVER STORY
Time and Tides of Indian Port Sector
Over the last decade, Indian Ports have seen some far reaching changes with private sector participation & Joint Ventures permitted under Major Port Trusts Act. Sudhir Rangnekar presents a case to show that if ports in India are to emerge as key facilitators and accelerators towards economic development, they need to be globally competitive...

- By Sudhir S. Rangnekar

NEWS FEATURE
A Date with Chennai - Nation's first maritime university organises a meeting of top industry minds
The date 8th December 2008 was a date for the shipping industry giants who had flown down from various parts of the world to participate at the CEOs’ panel discussion on "Vision of Shipping" organized by AMET University, the country's first maritime university dedicated towards marine education. The discussions moderated by Capt. S. Bhardwaj, Vice Chancellor of the university focused on the current economic slowdown and its impact on the shipping sector ...

- By SMP world bureau

COVER STORY
Healthy Order Books to Tide Over Lean Period
Indian shipyards stick to calculated plans banking on their current order book positions. Shipping, Marine & Ports World team brings forth an update of current shipbuilding activity undertaken by major Indian shipbuilders. Shipbuilding euphoria was on an all time high in India until very recently. Although most prominent players believe there is no cause for alarm in their individual cases, experts generally believe that caution would be the best watchword during these times ...

COVER STORY
Seafarer Training Need of the Hour
The Indian government is giving a lot of attention to maritime education now. A National Maritime University is very likely to be set up soon in the country. The bill is supposed to come in the next parliament session ...

- S. Hajara