IMC elects Devki Nandan as its first Chairman
The meeting of the First Directors of the Board of Indian Maritime Centre (IMC) was held in Mumbai on 14 October 2024. The Indian Maritime Centre was incorporated on 27 September 2024, with its headquarters in Mumbai on the premises belonging to the Maritime Training Institute of Shipping Corporation of India at Powai, as per a release.
The First Directors of the Board are as follows:
1. Mr Devki Nandan, President, Indian Private Ports and Terminals Association (IPPTA)
2. Mr Shankar Shinde, Immediate Past Chairman, Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations in India (FFFAI)
3. Capt Vikas Vij, President, ICC Shipping Association (ICCSA)
4. Capt Sankalp Shukla, Chairman, Foreign Owners representatives and Ship Managers Association (FOSMA)
5. Mr Arjun Ashok Chowgule, President, Shipyards Association of India (SAI)
6. Mr Maneesh Pradhan, Chairman, Maritime Association of Shipowners, Ship Managers and Agents (MASSA)
7 Mr Rahul Modi, President, Coastal Container Transporters Association (CCTA)
In the meeting held on 14-10-2024, the Board of Directors elected Mr Devki Nandan as Chairman and Mr Shankar Shinde as Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors. Capt Sankalp Shukla will act as Secretary and Capt Vikas Vij as Treasurer. Mr R. Ravi Kumar, Secretary General of IPPTA, has been appointed as Acting CEO. It was also decided to accept the applications of the Association of Container Train Operators (ACTO) and the Indian Register of Shipping IR Class IRS as members of IMC.
The Maritime India Vision 2030 envisaged by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) identified the need to create an integrated Apex Maritime Body called the ‘India Maritime Centre’. A High-Level Task Force was formed under the Chairmanship of Addl. Secretary, MoPSW towards the development of the same.
IMC will play a defining role in having a unified approach to maritime policy across different subsectors focusing on building an integrated Indian maritime ecosystem, unified representation of the Indian maritime sector at international forums like IMO and relationship with the global maritime community, integrated approach for creating global visibility and strong brand for Indian maritime sector and act as a think tank for the entire Indian maritime Industry.
The Directors profusely thanked Mr Bhushan kumar, former Joint Secretary (Sagar Mala) who played a stellar role in the formation of IMC.
Speaking on the occasion on behalf of the Directors, Mr Devki Nandan stated “It is a privilege and honour for me to serve as Chairman of IMC. We pledge to work towards promoting, developing and facilitating domestic and international maritime trade fostering economic growth in India and abroad. The upcoming years promise to be exciting for the Indian Maritime Sector, with significant investments in the pipeline to incorporate cutting-edge technology, capacity building, and adopting the best international standards. We pledge our unwavering assistance to the Government in developing and implementing policies in respect of the maritime sector to achieve the goals of Maritime India Vision 2030 & Maritime Amrit Kal Vision 2047 and make India a growth engine for the world. We as an industry, have a huge responsibility to shape the future in a meaningful and impactful manner. This Apex body will assist Govt and all subsectors to adopt uniform policies and make this sector a role model.”
All the Trade associations, major ports, maritime State Governments, State Maritime Boards, organisations, companies, institutions, bodies, esteemed maritime professionals and other stakeholders who are directly or indirectly connected with the Indian maritime trade are welcome to apply to join IMC with a view to achieving the above objectives through the collective efforts of those in the trade itself, said the release.
Source: Exim News Service:Mumbai, Oct. 17