Port Blair, Sept. 21: The National Shipping Board (NSB), a statutory body under the Merchant Shipping Act 1958 held its 126th meeting at Port Blair on 21.09.2015. The NSB is an advisory body and is mandated to advise the Central Government on matter related to Indian Shipping, including the development their of, and on such other matters arising out of the Merchant Shipping Act, as the Central Government may refer to it for advise.
The Chairman of the NSB Dr. Vishwapati Trivedi, IAS (Retd.), erstwhile Union Secretary Shipping through a personal invite had requested the Lt. Governor and the Chief Secretary to attend the meeting as special invitees and deliver an address especially with regards to the Shipping scenario in the A&N Islands.
The Lt. Governor whilst delivering the inaugural address highlighted the strategic importance of the Islands and the vast potential for Shipping and Tourism activities in the Islands. He emphasized that the A&N Islands due to their strategic location can play a vital role in the nation’s engagement with the South East Asia and Asia Specific.
He also informed the NSB about the various initiatives taken by the A&N Administration in the recent past to augment the Shipping and Port sectors including the Ship Acquisition Plan consisting of acquisition of 25 new ships and the augmentation of berthing and port facilities across the Islands. The Lt. Governor observed that area around Port Blair could provide an Ideal location for setting up of a Free Port and informed the NSB that this issue is being examined by the Administration.
The Administration is making all endeavors to ensure safety, economy and comfort for the passengers, who travel in ships. At the same time, priority is being given to augment ship repair facilities like extension of existing Dry-dock and setting up of a new ship repair facility. While he thanked the Shipping Corporation of India for extending technical and other supports, he requested that the operational availability of ships managed by them should be improved.
A detailed presentation on the operations and challenges in the A&N Islands was later made to the NSB by the Secretary Shipping, A&N Administration.
Issues such as setting up of a suitable Maritime Institutes and Training Facilities, as also credible Ship Repair Facilities in the A&N Islands were flagged to the NSB for consideration. The Chairman of the board thanked the Lt. Governor and the A&N Administration for giving them an insight into the shipping activities in the A&N Islands and also for providing all the support for conduct of the 126th meeting, of the Board, a communication from the Secretary (Shipping) said here today.
