At the 26th Annual General Meeting of the Federation of Ship Agents Association of India (FEDSAI) held in Mumbai recently, Mr Ashok Janakiram, President, Association of Shipping Interests in Calcutta (ASIC), was unanimously re-elected for the fourth time as Chairman FEDSAI for the term 2018-2020.
Mr T. V. Sujan of Kandla Port Steamship Agents Association (KPSAA) was elected as Vice-Chairman.
The other Directors are Capt. Ajay Kaura (NISAA), Capt. P. P. Singh (MANSA), Mr Bharat S. Asher (CSAA), Mr Praveen K. Bangera (NMSAA), Mr P. V. Jagannath (VSAA), Mr Moteus Nazareth (MSAA) and Mr L. A. Morais (TSAA)
In 2017-18, the maritime trade faced a vast number of unexpected changes as announced by the government of India for Ease of Doing Business. During this period, FEDSAI, as a pan-India body, played a crucial role in addressing the various issues faced by its members/constituents and has been closely in touch with concerned Ministries and statutory authorities from time to time in order to facilitate shipping and allied activities in India.
In his address, Mr Janakiram stressed on the Indian and global shipping scenario and trends. He shared his views on the initiatives taken by the Ministry to invest in the shipping sector and highlighted the areas for improvement, besides the various obstacles faced by the coastal and inland water sector.
“Coastal/inland water transportation is no doubt cost-effective, environment-friendly and more favoured than alternative modes of cargo transport in developed countries. However, despite its wide scope and popularity in other nations, India is yet to explore its coastal shipping’s true potential,” he said.
Mr Janakiram also apprehends that notwithstanding the consolidation efforts, the container liner industry will remain volatile because of its asset-intense, operating leverage-heavy and network-based nature.
“A more concentrated industry is normally more rational and efficient, but a risk of destabilisation remains, with a background of historically aggressive capacity management by the largest players,” he said.
Mr Janakiram thanked all members and constituents for extending their continued cooperation in the matters of FEDSAI and for reposing their faith in him by re-electing him as Chairman of this esteemed Federation.
He expressed that all members/constituents should continue to actively come forth as a fraternity to participate in the Federation’s endeavours in all issues of concern considering the present depressed market conditions being faced by the shipping industry.
