Yesterday, the one day seminar on "Indian River-Sea Vessel - A Holistic Approach" was organized by The Institute of Marine Engineers (India), Cochin Branch. From the content of the papers, the response and discussion on it, as well as the wisdom shared by the dignitaries, the seminar was a grand success. A big congratulations for the organizers led my M.P.John!
Some of the key overriding factor which came out of this seminar are as follows:
1. All the stakeholders feel that there is an excellent business opportunity. With a little bit of push, maybe from the government, this can take off. This include, but not limited to:
- better infrastructure in terms of port, port facilities,
- ease of getting finance for construction and operation,
- incentives either in form of subsidies, guarantee cargo or similar
3. A look in to the possibility for including high valued and dangerous cargo - like oil tankers, chemical tankers, etc. in future amendments.
4. A recommendation to include professional bodies like The Institute of Marine Engineers (India) as non-exclusive surveyors to ensure compliance on rules as an alternative to IRS surveyors. This could also include bodies like Institute of Naval Architects, etc. The issue to consider is the chain of responsibility.
5. A requirement to educate a whole lot of people involved in the chain - ranging from bankers, government officials, logistics providers, consumers, and other parties about the benefits of this new regulation and the trade in particular.
6. A benefit of having standardized designs for certain range of parameters in terms of geometric parameters and other operational requirements to reduce the cost of vessel was felt.
7. A recognition that a suitable vessel would have a draft of under 3.5 m to call at most minor ports and reap maximum benefit of this rules was noted.
All in all, a great seminar to be a part of.
Some of the issues that was raised as errors, omissions and discrepancy in the rules would be covered as a separate writeup in a couple of days.
Useful links:
1. River-Sea rules and explanation can be found here: http://navgathi.info/index.php/Indian_River-Sea_Rules
2. Ambiguity and Issues with River-Sea rules are covered here: http://navgathi.info/index.php/Indian_River-Sea_Rules
3. Rules for the latest River-Sea regulation can be downloaded from the DG Shipping website. Under the "Shipping Notices" (sixth tab on the horizontal ones from left), select "DGS Orders".
Chose the year 2008 from the bottom right side of the page.
Select "4 of 2008 - Notification for Construction, Survey, Certification and Operation of Indian River-Sea Vessels"
Click and download all the Annexes
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