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Abhyansh Shipping Services India Pvt. Ltd. is a leading logistics provider in India, proudly holding an ISO 9001:2015 certification.

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The Gender Equality Journey in Indian Shipping and Logistics

The recent “Survey on Gender Equality in the Indian Maritime Industry (2024)” has unveiled both significant progress and ongoing challenges for women in this crucial sector. Conducted by Maritime SheEO and financially supported by the Consulate General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Mumbai, this report serves as a follow-up to a similar study conducted in 2019.

Key Findings

One of the standout achievements highlighted in the report is the surge in female leadership within the maritime sector, with the representation of women CEOs increasing from 3.9% in 2019 to 21.4% in 2024. This is a clear indication that initiatives aimed at promoting gender diversity are taking effect. Additionally, gender-neutral practices have also gained traction, rising from 80% to 92.7%, showcasing a commitment from companies to foster inclusive workplaces.

However, while these statistics are encouraging, they also reveal that challenges persist. The proportion of women seafarers has seen only a marginal increase—from 89% in 2019 to 89.5% in 2024—indicating a pressing need for targeted interventions to enhance women’s representation at sea. Moreover, adherence to global standards like the UN Women’s Empowerment Principles has climbed impressively from 25% to 89.3%, yet inconsistencies remain in their application, highlighting the need for better communication and support mechanisms.

A Call for Continued Action

The report emphasizes that ongoing efforts are vital to improve working conditions and job opportunities for women throughout the maritime industry. It calls for specific actions to address barriers to career advancement and create more inclusive workplaces, particularly within seafaring roles.

Ms. Sanjam Sahi Gupta, founder of Maritime SheEO, noted, “Despite the industry’s crucial role in the nation’s economy and global trade, women remain significantly underrepresented in key maritime roles, both onshore and offshore.” This statement underscores the urgency of addressing these disparities.

Abhyansh’s Commitment

At Abhyansh, we recognize the importance of gender equality not just as a moral imperative but as a business necessity. Under the leadership of our COO, Anshika Vaish, we are committed to fostering a work environment that champions gender diversity and inclusivity. By aligning our strategies with findings from reports like these, we aim to contribute actively to closing the gender gap in the maritime sector.

Looking Ahead

The findings from this study will be discussed at the upcoming Maritime SheEO Conference 2024 in Mumbai, where industry leaders and stakeholders will come together to explore strategies for promoting gender equality. It is an essential platform for addressing the gaps and proposing actionable solutions.

As we navigate through this evolving landscape, it is crucial for all members of the maritime community to continue advocating for change. The journey toward gender equality is ongoing, and every effort counts.

Interim Budget’s Impact on Shipping and Logistics Industry in India

As India navigates through the realm of an interim budget, awaiting the outcomes of the impending general elections, the provisions set forth for the shipping and logistics industry come under scrutiny. Let’s delve into the implications of these measures in a more narrative form.

Overall Investment and Infrastructure Boost

The interim budget has allocated a substantial Rs 11 lakh crore (roughly $135 billion USD) to the infrastructure sector, with a significant portion earmarked to bolster logistics and transport. A notable increase in funds for dedicated freight corridors aims to alleviate congestion and reduce logistics costs, signaling a push towards enhancing operational efficiency in the industry.

Driving Efficiency Through Strategic Initiatives

One of the key initiatives outlined in the budget is the development of three major economic railway corridors. These corridors are envisioned to connect industrial clusters and ports, fostering better connectivity and streamlining logistical operations across the country. Furthermore, there is a concerted effort towards promoting inland waterways utilization, particularly leveraging rivers like the Ganga to provide cost-effective transport solutions.

Enhancing Connectivity Across Modes

The budget also lays emphasis on expanding air connectivity by establishing 100 additional airports under the UDAN scheme. This move not only aims to bolster air connectivity for cargo and passengers but also signifies a broader strategy to enhance the overall transport infrastructure in the country. Additionally, support for coastal shipping through incentives underscores the government’s commitment to diversifying transport modes and optimizing logistical routes.

Embracing Integration and Modernization

A noteworthy focus of the interim budget is on multi-modal logistics integration. By seamlessly combining road, rail, water, and air transport modes, the industry stands to benefit from enhanced efficiency and improved supply chain dynamics. The promotion of warehousing infrastructure development underscores the importance placed on modernizing storage facilities to align with evolving industry demands.

Digitization for Streamlined Operations

In line with the digital age, the budget introduces initiatives such as the Unified Logistics Interface Platform (ULIP) and e-logistics platform. These digitalization efforts aim to simplify operations, enhance transparency, and facilitate ease of doing business within the logistics sector.

Looking Ahead: Areas of Uncertainty and Future Prospects

While the interim budget paints a promising picture for the shipping and logistics industry, industry stakeholders await further clarity on specific implementation details. Concrete plans, timelines, and potential measures to ease bureaucratic hurdles and reduce documentation requirements remain areas of uncertainty. Additionally, calls for GST relief on certain logistics services underscore industry demands for a more conducive regulatory environment.

In conclusion, as India treads through this interim financial landscape, it is imperative to acknowledge that these provisions set the stage for potential transformations in the industry post-elections. While optimism surrounds the outlined initiatives, industry experts advise a cautious approach, urging a wait-and-see stance until tangible actions materialize to assess their true impact on the sector’s growth trajectory.

Driving Economic Growth: The Impact of India’s National Logistics Policy

India’s logistics industry plays a crucial role in driving economic growth and facilitating seamless trade. Abhyansh Shipping, as a company, acknowledges the significant strides made by the Indian government through the implementation of the National Logistics Policy (NLP). The NLP, announced in September 2022, marks a milestone in recognizing the importance of logistics and supply chain in India’s overall development. In this article, we explore how this policy is set to transform the shipping and logistics industry, attract global investments, and propel India towards becoming a global logistics hub.

Enhancing Infrastructure and Services:

The NLP focuses on improving critical infrastructure, including roads, railways, waterways, airports, and logistic hubs. This comprehensive approach recognizes the need for robust logistics networks to support efficient transportation and supply chain operations. By investing in enhancing infrastructure and leveraging digital services, the policy aims to streamline logistics processes, reduce costs, and enhance service quality. The result will be a logistics ecosystem that promotes efficiency, reliability, and competitiveness.

Competing on the Global Stage:

India’s ambition to become the third-largest economy necessitates positioning itself as a formidable competitor in the global market. The NLP aligns with this vision by creating an enabling environment for logistics and supply chain operations. With streamlined processes, improved infrastructure, and digital integration, India can enhance its competitiveness and challenge global leaders like China and the USA. This policy aims to position India as a preferred logistics destination, attracting foreign investments and fostering economic growth.

Boosting Economic Sectors:

The implementation of the NLP will have a direct positive impact on India’s primary and secondary sectors. By improving logistics services, supply chains of manufacturing companies operating in India will be bolstered. This will result in enhanced efficiency, reduced costs, and increased productivity. The policy’s holistic approach is in line with India’s mission of achieving self-reliance and driving domestic production. As logistics operations become more streamlined and efficient, the nation will witness the emergence of some of the best logistics companies in India.

Collaborative Approach:

To ensure effective policy implementation, industry stakeholders have a crucial role to play. As a leading player in the logistics industry, we welcome the government’s invitation for collaboration and participation in shaping the policy landscape. By providing insights and suggestions on the requirements of manufacturing companies, we can contribute to attracting more foreign investments. This collaborative approach will foster a favorable business environment, stimulate growth, and create new opportunities for the shipping and logistics industry.

Conclusion:

The National Logistics Policy marks a significant milestone in India’s journey towards becoming a global logistics powerhouse. By focusing on infrastructure development, streamlining processes, and fostering collaboration, the policy aims to enhance the efficiency and competitiveness of the logistics sector. As we celebrate the National Logistics Day, let us recognize the transformative potential of the NLP and its ability to drive economic growth, attract investments, and position India as a leading logistics destination. Together, we can build a vibrant and resilient logistics ecosystem that powers India’s progress and contributes to its global standing.

The Urgent Need for Green Fuels in the Shipping Industry

The shipping industry plays a substantial role in global greenhouse gas emissions, responsible for approximately 2.9% of global CO2 emissions in 2018. This figure is alarming, and the trend is worrisome as well. If no action is taken, shipping is projected to account for about 10% of global CO2 emissions by 2050.

Several factors contribute to the shipping industry’s high emissions. The sheer size and weight of ships necessitate significant fuel consumption to propel them. Moreover, ships predominantly burn bunker fuel, a heavy fuel oil notorious for its high sulfur content and other harmful pollutants.

Addressing emissions from shipping has become increasingly urgent. In response, the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the United Nations body that establishes shipping standards, has set a target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from shipping by at least 50% by 2050, compared to 2008 levels.

Green Fuels: The Solution for Shipping

To achieve this ambitious target, the shipping industry must transition to green fuels—fuels that do not generate greenhouse gas emissions. Several types of green fuels are currently under development for shipping, including:

  1. Electricity: Electricity is a clean and efficient fuel that can power ships. However, utilizing electricity in shipping poses challenges, such as the need to develop large batteries or establish shore power connections.
  2. Hydrogen: Hydrogen is a clean and abundant fuel suitable for powering ships. However, producing hydrogen is currently challenging and expensive, and determining its storage and transportation on ships is still an ongoing process.
  3. Ammonia: Ammonia is a clean and efficient fuel that can be used to power ships. However, its toxicity poses challenges, and further research is required to determine how it can be safely stored and transported onboard ships.
  4. Biofuels: Biofuels derived from renewable sources, such as plants and algae, can be used to power ships. However, they are currently more expensive than fossil fuels and require further development and scaling to become cost-competitive.

The Challenges of Implementing Green Fuels in Shipping

While the benefits of green fuels for shipping are evident, several challenges must be overcome. Firstly, the cost of green fuels remains higher than that of fossil fuels, presenting a major barrier to their widespread adoption.

Secondly, the availability of green fuels is limited, and the infrastructure required to produce, store, and transport them is insufficient. This scarcity is another significant obstacle to their adoption.

Lastly, integrating green fuels into existing ship engines poses technical challenges that necessitate further research and innovation.

A Bright Future for Green Fuels in Shipping

Despite the obstacles, momentum is growing toward the use of green fuels in shipping. The IMO has set ambitious emission reduction targets, and shipowners and governments alike are investing in the development of green fuels.

As the cost of green fuels decreases and their availability increases, they will become more competitive with fossil fuels. This shift will result in wider adoption in the shipping industry, ultimately contributing to reduced emissions from this crucial sector.

In addition to addressing the challenges mentioned above, the use of green fuels in shipping presents numerous opportunities. For instance, the development of green fuels can create new jobs and businesses within the shipping industry. Furthermore, it has the potential to enhance the industry’s competitiveness by reducing fuel costs.

Effectively implementing green fuels in shipping is a complex issue, but it is imperative for combatting the climate crisis. By surmounting the challenges and embracing the opportunities, the shipping industry can assume a leading role in transitioning to a clean energy future.

MoPSW Drafts ‘Sagarmala Innovation and Start-up Policy’ to Foster Maritime Start-ups and Innovation in India

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) has recently issued a draft policy, the ‘Sagarmala Innovation and Start-up Policy’, for stakeholder consultation. This policy aims to harness new technology developed by Indian start-ups and entrepreneurs to co-create the future of India’s growing maritime sector. The ultimate goal of this policy is to build a strong innovation ecosystem in the country that will drive sustainable growth and generate large scale employment opportunities.

The draft policy identifies several key areas for start-ups to flourish, including decarbonization, optimizing processes through data, maritime education, multi-modal transportation, manufacturing, alternate/ advance materials, maritime cybersecurity, smart communication, and marine electronics. The framework is designed to distribute responsibilities and benefits among the various stakeholders, including upcoming young entrepreneurs with innovative ideas.

The policy outlines several initiatives to support start-ups and entrepreneurs in the maritime sector. These include a digital portal-based selection of start-ups, grants to create a minimum viable product/ services (MVP), commercialization of proprietary technology, including market entry or scaling up, creation of ‘Launch pads’ at ports for carrying out trials, facilitating pilot projects, establishing working space and adopting products and solutions, annual start-up awards in the maritime sector recognizing distinguished efforts of innovation, organizing buyer-seller meetings, providing technical knowledge support for VCs, and guidance to non-registered start-ups and individuals with promising ideas in the maritime sector, including registration of start-up and availing Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) recognition. The policy also provides regulatory support in tenders and sub-contracting and legal and accountancy backup to start-ups for IP-Patent filing, company registration, annual filings, and closures.

The promotion of start-ups shall be through the development of Maritime Innovation Hubs (MIH) which shall perform several functions. These include developing incubators and accelerators with state-of-the-art facilities to cover all aspects of the startup journey from idea to scaled product, developing a centralized repository containing all pertinent information to assist emerging entrepreneurs, attracting investment for eligible start-up businesses and innovative maritime technology, entrepreneur development through ‘know-how’ sessions about the various aspects of the maritime industry and launching of innovation-focused programs, and collaborating with national & international stakeholders for mentorship, knowledge sharing, and facilitating access to global subject matter experts, serial entrepreneurs, business leaders, and investors with the potential to get their entry and scaling in India. Overall, this policy is a significant step taken by MoPSW to create a strong ecosystem for fostering start-ups and innovation in the nation. The ministry believes that this will surely promote innovation and entrepreneurship in the maritime sector. Through this policy, MoPSW wants to enable start-ups to grow and prosper through innovations. With the creation of a robust maritime innovation ecosystem, the country will be able to establish long-term action plans, networks, infrastructure, and other resources to further develop the port-led development and the maritime sector in India.