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\New Delhi, Apr 23 () The government on Thursday said 145 Indian crew disembarked at Mumbai Port from a German cruise ship will continue to be in quarantine in Mumbai till their COVID-19 tests come negative.After the issuance of the standard operative procedure (SOP) by the Ministry of Home Affairs for sign-on and sign-off of Indian seafarers, 145 Indian crew of German cruise lines have been able to disembark on Mumbai Port on Thursday, the Ministry of Shipping said in a statement."The crew will continue to be in quarantine in Mumbai until their test reports come negative," the ministry said.Mumbai Port Trust (MbPT) facilitated the disembarkation of Indian crew by following stringent health check-ups in three stages, it said, adding elaborate health check-up facilities were arranged at berth."Port Health Officers assisted by MbPT doctors &amp; medics formed the first stage. In the Second stage, the crew were checked and stamped by MCGM health authorities for 14-day home quarantine. In the third and most critical stage, the swab of all disembarking crew was collected for testing," the statement said.Thereafter the usual processes of custom, immigration, security and port clearance were completed with all PPE &amp; social-distancing norms, it added.The government has come out with guidelines for change of crew at Indian ports, a move that will put an end to hardships faced by stuck seafarers and pave way for them to return to their homes.Under the standard operating procedure (SOP), any seafarer would be allowed sign-on or sign-off at ports after tests for COVID-19 is found negative, failing which action as per guidelines of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare would be taken. NAM\ MR

COVID-19: 145 Indian crew from German cruise ship to be in quarantine at Mumbai

By Namita Tewari New Delhi, Apr 26 () Thousands of Indian seafarers are currently stuck aboard cruise and cargo vessels in far off waters, and the country may face disruption in supply chain if they are not brought back, maritime bodies said on Sunday. With the Indian airspace remaining closed for domestic and international passenger flights, the bodies have sought intervention of the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) for devising a strategy to bring back such "essential supply workers". India is the second largest supplier of seafarers, after the Philippines. As per industry estimates, about one lakh seafarers are engaged in Indian and foreign flag cargo vessels across the globe. Presently, Indian seafarers aboard only those vessels which call at Indian ports are allowed to disembark, after following the standard operating procedures as specified by the Directorate General of Shipping. Leading ship management companies operating in India said they are facing huge challenges as crew change aboard cargo vessels worldwide is not happening as none of the leading airports in the country have become fully or partially operational so far. Capt Nalin Pandey, CMD of Mumbai-based Pentagon Shipping, told : "Currently, about 4,000 Indian seafarers are sailing aboard various cargo vessels worldwide on extended contracts. By May end, this figure is expected to cross 15,000. This means, at least 400 Indian ship management companies across the country will have to arrange for domestic plus overseas transportation of at least 30,000 Indian seafarers to facilitate the crew change aboard around 10,000 cargo ships across the globe." Pandey said if some strategy is not evolved for seafarers, India's participation in terms of global seafarers will take a hit as sources say there are instances where China has offered all support to its seafarers. Leading ship management firm Suntech Crew Management said it has suspended the crew change temporarily. "Replacement of staff on-board all our vessels across the globe stand suspended at least till third week of May. Our foremost responsibility remains to keep Indian seafarers protected from any form of health risk arising due to travel as they remain vulnerable to being stranded at airports or ports, where they may be unable to leave or get sufficient assistance," said Capt Sanjay Srivastava, CEO, Suntech Crew Management. Capt Agyapal Khuman, chairman of top marine travel company ATPI India, said, "To address this problem, it is essential that Indian government soon allows international travel of Indian seafarers through chartered flights as Indian airspace currently remains open for transport of essential goods and essential workers." Khuman said as a global travel company, ATPI and other bodies are committed to lend required assistance in this endeavour. Various maritime bodies have sought PMO intervention in this, he added. Khuman further said the government can allow special charter flights to important crew change airports such as Singapore, Manila, Hong Kong, Dubai, Rotterdam and others. Directorate General of Shipping recently started issuing 'e-passes' to Indian seafarers enabling them to travel by road on a permitted route to reach home after disembarking at a port, or reach the port to board a vessel. However, the country head of a global ship management company operating in Mumbai, who did not wished to be named, said, "Most merchant navy officers residing in Maharashtra currently fear travelling by road to board cargo vessels calling on ports of Kandla, Kochi, Paradip, Vizag, etc after the violent incident of Palghar lynching in presence of policemen." "On an average, at least 150 senior merchant navy seafarers refuse me in a week to join the vessels calling at ports located outside Maharashtra due to this fear psychosis," the executive said. Director General of Shipping Amitabh Kumar could not be contacted for comments. Earlier, the government had come out with a standard operating procedure (SOP) for Indian seafarers at domestic ports. Shipping Minister Mansukh L Mandaviya had termed it a welcome step. "Change of crew of ship (seafarers) is an important measure for operation of merchant-ships. The Ministry of Home Affairs has issued SOP... This SOP has been formulated to streamline the sign-on/sign-off of Indian seafarers at Indian ports for merchant shipping," the government had said. NAM ABMABM

COVID-19: Maritime bodies seek PMO intervention to bring back stuck seafarers

New Delhi, Apr 22 () The government has come out with guidelines for change of crew at Indian ports, a move that will put an end to hardships faced by stuck seafarers and pave way for them to return to their homes. Under the standard operating procedure (SOP), any seafarer would be allowed sign on at the port of embarkation only after test for COVID-19 is found negative, failing which action as per guidelines of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare would be taken. Shipping Minister Mansukh Lal Mandaviya on Wednesday in a statement said, "Crew change at sea ports will be possible now with the issuance of the SOP by the Ministry of Home Affairs. This will put an end to hardships faced by thousands of seafarers." "Change of crew of ship (seafarers) is an important measure for operation of merchant ships. The Ministry of Home Affairs has issued SOP... This SOP has been formulated to streamline the sign-on/sign-off of Indian seafarers at Indian ports for merchant shipping vessels," the shipping ministry said in the statement. NAM NAM HRS

COVID-19: Govt paves way for return of stuck seafarers to homes, issues guidelines for crew change

New Delhi, Mar 24 () To ensure that casual workers at Indian ports do not suffer and cargos are efficiently handled, Union minister Mansukh Lal Mandaviya on Tuesday directed chairpersons of all ports to take necessary steps, including timely payment of wages. The government has already declared transport service for carriage of goods by water and any service-connected with loading, unloading, movement or storage of goods in any port as essential service. "In connection with the COVID-19 outbreak, Minister of State (I/C) for Shipping Mansukh Mandaviya today reviewed situation at all major ports regarding cargo handling, SOP, payment to casual labourers, etc., through video conferencing, with all the chairpersons of ports and Director General, Shipping in this pandemic situation," the Ministry of Shipping said in a statement. More than 90 per cent of exim (export-import)cargo is handled through ports. "For proper and smooth maintenance of the supply chain, the Ministry of Shipping is taking all-round measures. For easy movement of cargo at ports, the Ministry of Shipping has prepared Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) to be adhered at all ports to fight against COVID-19," the statement said. Amid coronavirus outbreak, the government has so far prevented over 30,000 crew and passengers on board about 1,000 ships from disembarking on Indian shores and arranged for safe transport of EXIM cargo, a Shipping Ministry official said on Tuesday. Apart from restricting cargo handling and scanning passengers and crew, the government has prohibited the entry of any international cruise ship, crew or passengers with a travel history to coronavirus-hit countries post-February 1, 2020, to its major ports till March 31. India has 12 major ports -- Deendayal (erstwhile Kandla), Mumbai, JNPT, Marmugao, New Mangalore, Cochin, Chennai, Kamarajar (earlier Ennore), V O Chidambarnar, Visakhapatnam, Paradip and Kolkata (including Haldia) -- which handled 699.04 MT of cargo during 2018-19. There are about 200 non-major ports under the control of states. The government had last month directed all 12 major ports to immediately put in place screening, detection and quarantine system for disembarking seafarers and cruise passengers as a preventive measure against the coronavirus outbreak. Directions had also been issued to ports to procure N-95 masks as well as thermal scanners to screen passengers, besides obtaining self-declaration from arriving crew/passengers. To prevent the spread of the deadly virus, the Ministry of Shipping had said it will allow only such international cruise ships which had intimated their call to ports by January 1, 2020. "Only those international cruise ships which had planned and intimated their call to an Indian Port not later than 1st January 2020 will be allowed to call on such port," it said. NAM MR

Mandaviya directs port chiefs to protect casual workers interest amid coronavirus outbreak

New Delhi, Mar 11 () India on Wednesday prohibited entry of any international cruise ship, crew or passenger with a travel history to coronavirus-hit countries post February 1, 2020 to its major ports till March 31. To prevent the spread of the deadly virus, the Ministry of Shipping said it will allow only such international cruise ships to call on its major ports that had intimated their call to the ports by January 1, 2020. "Only those international cruise ships which had planned and intimated their call to an Indian Port not later than 1st January, 2020 will be allowed to call on such port. "Any international cruise ship or any member of its crew or any passenger therein having a travel history of visiting any of the Covid-19 affected countries... since 1st Feb, 2020; will not be permitted to enter any Indian port till 31st March, 2020," the Ministry of Shipping said. The government said international cruise ships will be allowed only at ports having thermal screening facilities for passengers and crew members. If any passenger/crew member of cruise ships show symptoms of coronavirus, disembarking will not be permitted, it added. India has 12 major ports -- Deendayal (erstwhile Kandla), Mumbai, JNPT, Marmugao, New Mangalore, Cochin, Chennai, Kamarajar (earlier Ennore), V O Chidambarnar, Visakhapatnam, Paradip and Kolkata (including Haldia) -- that handled 699.04 MT of cargo during 2018-19. There are about 200 non-major ports under the control of states. The government last month had directed all 12 major ports to immediately put in place screening, detection and quarantine system for disembarking seafarers and cruise passengers as a preventive measure against the coronavirus outbreak. The Ministry of Shipping had issued necessary directions to the 12 major ports to "place a screening, detection and quarantine system immediately for disembarking Seafarers or Cruise Passengers". Directions had also been issued to ports to procure N-95 masks as well as thermal scanners to screen passengers, besides obtaining self-declaration from arriving crews/passengers. India has so far reported 60 coronavirus cases. NAM ABM

India not to allow cruise ships with travel history to coronavirus-hit nations till Mar 31

New Delhi, May 3 () As many as 63,000 crew members and passengers on board vessels mostly from China have been denied disembarkation at Indian ports so far, as part of efforts to curb the spread of coronavirus, a shipping ministry official said. These crew members and passengers reached Indian ports on board about 1,990 vessels between January 27 and April 30, the official added. "A total of 62,948 crew and passengers reached India's ports on board about 1,990 ships, mostly from China. Thermal scanning of all these crew and passengers were done as per the WHO (World Health Organization) guidelines. Besides adhering to all precautions and laid-down protocols to prevent any further spread of COVID-19, no shore passes or daily passes were issued to these people, and EXIM cargo was handled with care," the official told . Of the total 1,990 ships, 1,621 reached major ports and were allowed anchoring at designated places for loading and unloading of export-import (EXIM) cargo. Of these 63,000 crew and passengers onboard these ships, 56,000 reached the major ports, the official said. India has 12 major ports -- Deendayal (erstwhile Kandla), Mumbai, JNPT, Mormugao, New Mangalore, Cochin, Chennai, Kamarajar (earlier Ennore), V. O. Chidambaranar, Visakhapatnam, Paradip and Kolkata (including Haldia). These ports handled nearly 705 million tonnes (MT) cargo in 2019-20. For maintaining smooth operations across ports, the shipping ministry has initiated a number of steps that include waiving of rentals. The government has asked all major ports to ensure that no penalties, demurrage, charges, fees and rentals are levied on any port user (traders, shipping lines, concessionaires, licensees, etc) for any delay in berthing or loading/unloading operations or evacuation of cargo caused by the reasons attributable to lockdown measures from March 22. Besides, for existing and operational PPP (public private partnership) projects, major ports can permit waiver of all penal consequences on a case-to-case basis along with deferment of certain performance obligations. The official said hospitals across the major port trusts have been supplied with personal protective equipment (PPE), and the arrangement of sufficient staff round the clock has been made. Ports and PSUs under the Ministry of Shipping have contributed over Rs 52 crore from the corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds towards PM-CARES Fund. Besides, employees of ports, public sector undertakings (PSUs) and other offices of the ministry have contributed over Rs 7 crore from their salaries towards the PM-CARES Fund. The number of vessels handled by ports during 2019-20 was around 20,837 as against 20,853 vessels in 2018-19. NAM HRS

COVID-19: 63,000 crew, passengers on board ships from China not allowed to disembark till Apr 30

<ul><li>The Indian government has made it compulsory to switch charging ports to <keyword id="2529832" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="usb-type-c" source="Orion">USB Type-C</keyword> from 2025. </li><li>India may exclude certain devices to adapt the USB Type-C port rule. </li><li>Read further to know which electronic devices will likely be excluded from the list.</li></ul>The Indian government has passed a mandate for electronic devices to switch to USB Type-C as the default charging port. Manufacturers of smartphones and other <keyword id="1616591" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="wearables" source="Orion">wearables</keyword> and <keyword id="4216368" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="hearables" source="Orion">hearables</keyword> are given a deadline of 2025, whereas laptop manufacturers have an extended timeline till 2026 to switch to USB-C charging ports. However, according to <a href="https://www.macrumors.com/2023/01/03/india-exempting-devices-usb-c-law/">MacRumours</a>, the Indian government may exempt some electronic devices from this mandate. According to a <a href="https://www.livemint.com/technology/gadgets/new-usb-c-rule-may-spare-some-gadgets-11672594429743.html">report</a>, <keyword id="768363" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="feature-phones" source="Orion">feature phones</keyword>, wearables, and hearables are likely exempt from having compulsory USB Type-C charging ports. The officials have considered exempting these devices from the list as the manufacturers have raised concerns about input costs which will lead to an increase in the prices of the devices. The senior Indian official said, “For mobiles and electronics, USB Type-C port has been made mandatory, the industry players are also on board, but for feature phones, wearables and hearables, stakeholders have said that costs would increase.” In the list of hearables that may be exempted from the universal charging port mandate, Apple's AirPods could be exempted. Even though the Indian government is following the European Union (EU) in making USB-C charging ports compulsory for all devices, it is still not confirmed whether it will follow in the same footsteps to make Apple AirPods switch to the USB-C port. This inspiration for adapting a single charger rule is a great initiative to reduce the hassle of carrying different chargers for all electronic devices- phones, cameras, laptops, wearables, and more. The mandate can also help reduce the e-waste produced by different chargers. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/study-finds-apples-airpods-pro-may-serve-as-a-hearing-assistive-device-for-mild-to-moderate-hearing-loss/articleshow/95683268.cms" style="">Study finds Apple's AirPods Pro may serve as a hearing-assistive device for mild-to-moderate hearing loss</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/what-is-youtubes-queue-feature-and-how-does-it-work/articleshow/96516005.cms" style="">What is YouTube's Queue feature, and how does it work</a>

India could exempt feature phones, hearables, and wearables from the USB-C rule

New Delhi, Apr 2 () All precautions are being taken in handling export-import (EXIM) cargo at ports and more than 43,000 crew and passengers have not been allowed to disembark since January 26, in order to prevent the spread of coronavirus, a shipping ministry official said. "Stepping up measures to contain the spread of deadly coronavirus, the government has so far prevented over 43,000 crew and passengers onboard about 1,300 ships from disembarking on Indian shores and arranged for safe transport of EXIM cargo," the official told . Apart from restricting cargo handling, and scanning passengers and crew, the government has prohibited entry of any international cruise ship, crew or passengers with a travel history to coronavirus-hit countries post February 1, 2020, to its major ports till March 31. They have not been allowed to disembark as a precautionary measure to contain any possible spread of the virus. They were allowed to anchor at designated places, but no shore passes were issued to such crew and passengers post January 26, the official said. As per the guidelines of the World Health Organization (WHO), all passengers and crew aboard the vessels are being scanned, and all necessary facilities are being extended to them, the official said. All required protocols are being followed and help is being provided in case of fever or sickness, the official added. India has 12 major ports -- Deendayal (erstwhile Kandla), Mumbai, JNPT, Marmugao, New Mangalore, Cochin, Chennai, Kamarajar (earlier Ennore), V O Chidambarnar, Visakhapatnam, Paradip and Kolkata (including Haldia) -- which handled 699.04 MT of cargo during 2018-19. There are about 200 non-major ports under the control of states. The government in February had directed all 12 major ports to immediately put in place screening, detection and quarantine system for disembarking seafarers and cruise passengers as a preventive measure against the coronavirus outbreak. Directions had also been issued to ports to procure N-95 masks as well as thermal scanners to screen passengers, besides obtaining self-declaration from arriving crew/passengers. To prevent the spread of the deadly virus, the ministry had said it will allow only such international cruise ships which had intimated their call to ports by January 1, 2020. "Only those international cruise ships which had planned and intimated their call to an Indian Port not later than 1st January, 2020 will be allowed to call on such port," it said. NAM NAM ANUANU

All precautions taken in handling cargo; over 43,000 crew, passengers not allowed to disembark

<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image">AP Photo/Sanka GayashanSri Lankan Buddhist monks wait to welcome Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the Mattala Rajapaksa International Air Port in Mattala, Sri Lanka, Monday, March 18, 2013.</div></div></div><ul><li>India is buying Sri Lanka's second-largest airport, despite it only handling a dozen passengers a day.</li><li>China recently took control of a nearby port that opens up significant trade routes, and India is worried about China's growing role in the Indian Ocean.</li><li>Experts say the $300 million investment by India is an attempt to limit China's ability to operate its port as a naval site.</li></ul> India plans to buy the world's emptiest airport in an effort to limit China's influence in the Indian Ocean.Designed to accommodate one million passengers per year, Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport - a vanity project by Sri Lanka's former President Mahinda Rajapaksa that opened in 2013 - is a complete dud and receives just a <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/13/magazine/what-the-worlds-emptiest-international-airport-says-about-chinas-influence.html?mtrref=www.google.com.au">dozen passengers</a> a day.Yet India is set to pay $300 million for a joint venture granting it a 40-year lease over the nearly 2,000-acre space in southern Sri Lanka that was once so empty it was used to <a href="http://www.colombopage.com/archive_15B/Sep04_1441386834CH.php">store rice</a>."India's future plans for the airport are hazy. Maybe a flight school? A new destination for Indian weddings? There seems little chance that it will turn a profit. That is not the point of the deal," David Brewster, an expert in Indian Ocean strategies at the Australian National University, recently wrote for <a href="https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/why-india-buying-world-s-emptiest-airport">The Interpreter</a>.Instead, the reason for the purchase appears to be the airport's proximity - just a half-hour drive away - from a shipping port in Hambantota, which is <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com.au/indias-concern-with-beijing-expansion-grows-with-sri-lanka-port-deal-2017-8">run by China</a>.As China seeks to spread its reach cross-continent via the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/indias-concern-with-beijing-expansion-grows-with-sri-lanka-port-deal-2017-8">One Belt, One Road</a> initiative, India, the US, and Japan all hold <a href="http://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/2123658/sri-lanka-hands-over-major-port-chinese-company">concerns</a> that China wants to use the Sri Lankan port as a naval base. But its ability to do so is severely hampered without access to an airport."A key element in any overseas naval base, and even a logistics facility, is easy access by air for people and supplies. A naval base also requires maritime air surveillance capabilities. Control over Hambantota airport will give India considerable control over how the port is used," wrote Brewster. "It is difficult to conceive of the Chinese navy developing a significant facility at Hambantota without also controlling the airport. In short, India is spending US$300 million buying an airport to block a Chinese naval base."India's <a href="http://uk.businessinsider.com/r-china-urges-closer-cooperation-with-sri-lanka-on-key-projects-2017-10">fear</a> of China's rising influence in the Indian Ocean is not unfounded.A 2015 US Defense Department report <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/chinese-base-in-djibouti-near-camp-lemmonnier-africa-us-concern-2017-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">confirmed</a> Chinese missile submarines were operating in the Indian Ocean.The year prior, having cultivated a close relationship with Sri Lanka which has unnerved India, China began docking warships and submarines at a Colombo port<h2>China bought the Sri Lankan port to access one of the world's busiest shipping lanes</h2><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image">AP Photo/Chamila KarunarathneHyundai cars manufactured in India are parked after being unloaded at the Chinese built port in Hambantota, Sri Lanka.</div></div></div>Over the weekend Sri Lanka formally handed over control of Hambantota port to Beijing, as part of a $1.1 billion, 99-year lease by the state-owned China Merchants Group.The deal effectively gives China an easier path to one of the world's busiest shipping lanes as well as greater access to the dozens of countries that are bordered by the Indian Ocean. These include much of Africa, where Beijing's influence is quickly growing, as well as India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh that have populations - and markets - set to explode.According to the <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/f0d88070-9f99-11e7-9a86-4d5a475ba4c5">Financial Times</a>, a China-run port should lead to "lower prices and improve supply chains across the entire region, and so drive enormous growth in trade volumes."<h2>China's new port is part of its "string of pearls" around India</h2><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image">REUTERS/Lang Lang</div></div></div>"The acquisition of the port by China has spurred particular alarm in India, which is concerned about Beijing's growing strategic and economic footprint in the Indian Ocean region," Ankit Panda, a security-focused editor at Asia-Pacific news magazine <a href="https://thediplomat.com/2017/12/sri-lanka-formally-hands-over-hambantota-port-to-chinese-firms-on-99-year-lease/">The Diplomat</a>, wrote recently.In India, the Hambantota port is seen as another acquisition in China's "string of pearls."Each "pearl" is one of Beijing's military assets and alliances in the Indian Ocean and Asia Pacific that, put together, effectively encircle India. These include Malaysia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Myanmar.Just earlier this year, China opened its first international military base. The location is in Djibouti, on the Horn of Africa, directly west of India. <div class="margin-top"> <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/tucker-carlson-fox-news-democrat-ignition-mayor-most-corrupt-candidate-2017-12">Fox News' Tucker Carlson - a registered Democrat - explains why he always votes for the most corrupt mayoral candidate</a></h3> <div> </div> </div>

India is buying world's emptiest airport in its battle for territorial dominance with China

India is planning to invest in a colonial-era Sri Lankan oil-storage facility, continuing with its plans to enhance its naval interests in the Indian Ocean, meanwhile pushing China back in the race. Also read: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/military-defense/Indian-Ocean-cant-be-Indias-backyard-says-China/articleshow/47897529.cms">Indian Ocean can’t be India’s backyard, says China</a> A unit of <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/markets/economy/state-run-oil-firms-can-now-raise-prices-of-kerosene-and-cooking-gas-every-month/articleshow/58219384.cms">Indian Oil</a>, India’s largest refiner, is being readied to help fund the $350 million development of what would be a facility with 84 tanks, situated at the strategically located <keyword id="4079412" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Trincomalee-port">Trincomalee port</keyword> on Sri Lanka's east coast. Moreover, talks are on between the two countries to set up a refinery in the island nation, said Shyam Bohra, MD (Lanka IOC). Also read: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/India-wants-to-challenge-China-to-become-Asias-leading-shipping-hub/articleshow/53431603.cms">India wants to challenge China to become Asia’s leading shipping hub</a> Indian Prime Minister will be meeting his Sri Lankan counterpart Ranil Wickremesinghe in New Delhi tomorrow, and would also be flying to Sri Lanka next month. The reason behind India's interests in the Sri Lankan port could be more strategic than economic, as it looks forward to displacing the hefty investment that China is doing in Sri Lanka, says a report from <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2017-04-25/india-nips-at-china-s-heels-in-race-to-collect-lanka-port-assets">Bloomberg</a>. In the recent past, China has expanded both militarily and economically in the region, having docked its submarines in Colombo. As per analysts, India didn’t act fast in making big investments in Trincomalee for decades, and it could be because of the government being content with a small base which helps keep enemies out. Lanka IOC is managing the 15 operational tanks at the Trincomalee port, along with a lubricant blending unit, while discussions are on to jointly develop part of the tank farm with 84 more tanks, bringing the total capacity to almost 7.5 million barrels. Talking of China, it has already built a port at <keyword id="212453" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Hambantota">Hambantota</keyword> in Sri Lanka's south, and is also investing heavily in <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/India-must-be-worried-about-Chinas-46-billion-gift-to-Pakistan-Know-why/articleshow/46997631.cms">Gwadar port</a> in Pakistan along CPEC. Also read: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/china-to-fund-weapon-building-in-pakistan/articleshow/57690131.cms">China to fund weapon building in Pakistan</a> On the other hand, India’s progress with a nearby port at <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/markets/economy/India-deal-for-Chabahar-Port/articleshow/52402008.cms">Chabahar in Iran</a> has been slow as well. Also read: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/Why-Iran-nuclear-deal-may-lead-to-windfall-gains-for-India/articleshow/48318611.cms">Why Iran nuclear deal may lead to windfall gains for India</a> (Image source AsianVoice)

India pushing back China in race to collect Lanka port assets

New Delhi, Apr 19 () To ensure smooth cargo operations at India's ports amid the coronavirus pandemic, the shipping ministry has sought the commerce ministry's intervention for issuing advisory for recognition of electronic trading documents instead of "manual trade documentation" still required by many departments and financial institutions. Citing bottlenecks caused in handling EXIM cargo on account of the current manual process, it sought the commerce ministry's intervention for issuing advisory to departments, including customs, and the Indian Banks Association for accepting 'electronically generated trade documentation'. India has 12 major ports -- Deendayal (erstwhile Kandla), Mumbai, JNPT, Marmugao, New Mangalore, Cochin, Chennai, Kamarajar (earlier Ennore), V O Chidambarnar, Visakhapatnam, Paradip and Kolkata (including Haldia) that handled nearly 705 million tonnes (MT) cargo in 2019-20. Citing challenges faced in handling of EXIM cargo, Shipping Secretary Gopal Krishna in a letter to Commerce Secretary Anup Wadhawan said the inability of service providers such as courier agencies, general lockdown restrictions and the requirement of social distancing are causing severe impediment in issuance, delivery and despatch of physical format based trade documentation, which is directly impacting the release of import containers and cargo. Stating that the current manual process that requires surrender of original bill of lading (BL) at the shipping lines office, collection of paper invoice and payment by cash and collection of paper delivery order issued by then shipping line add up to 11.5 hours of person-to-person contact on an average, Krishna said it not only creates a high level of risk with the contagious nature of COVID-19 but results in considerable delays in release of cargo. Considering the present circumstances on account of COVID-19, the Indian Ports Association (IPA) under the aegis of the Ministry of Shipping has taken steps towards digitising some of trade related process through implementation of Port Community System (PCS), the letter said. PCS was launched in December 2018 and has managed to digitise the major part in port related activities including e-invoice, e-payment and and electronic delivery order (e-DO). Bill of lading (BL), a critical component, however is still missing and trade bodies under the umbrella of the Federation of Indian Logistics Association (FILA) have supported the IPA initiative of eBL and identified providers like CargoX, the letter mentions. "I would request you to consider issuing suitable guidelines and advisory consistent with international conventions on the subject to Departments as well as to Indian Bank Association for banks in India by accepting 'electronically generated trade documentation'. "Also, the 'stakeholders of the trade industry' such as carriers, exporters and importers can also be issued mandate to adopt and use such platforms for 'electronically generated trade documentation' including Bill of Lading (document of title) across stakeholders and across nations," the shipping secretary said. "Such a measure shall help ease the economic and humanitarian challenges and also encourage continuity of trade and also enable trade revival in future. This will also support the Ministry of Shipping and Ministry of Commerce in their efforts to ensure smooth flow of Export Import trade and release of import containers/cargo at various ports in India. Should the stakeholder or financial institutions or Departments require any support or assistance, they can reach out to Ministry of Shipping or the IPA," he added. The ministry also requested considering CargoX, a public block chain platform that provides the eBL solution and added that other solution providers of eBL like Tradelens, Wave, Bolero etc are explored for maritime EXIM cargo. The number of vessels handled by ports during 2019-20 was around 20,837, whereas during 2018-19, number of vessels handled was 20,853. The vessel traffic declined slightly by 0.08 per cent in comparison to last year. The major ports handle about 60 per cent of the country's total cargo traffic. NAM NAM ABMABM

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