Auto exports to pick up

It is heartening to read the resolve of the Federation of Indian Export Organisations to rev up India's export target in the current fiscal. From a glum 1.7 per cent in 2013-14, the aim is to take exports to a 'ballpark' figure of 4 per cent in 2014-15. Shipments are all set to increase as demand in key markets holds cheer.

One of the interesting segments is auto exports. The passenger vehicle sector saw a lull last year with hardly 55 per cent of the installed capacity being utilised. But an optimistic passenger car demand in the domestic market this year and growing acceptance of India-manufactured auto models in emerging markets across the globe are positive indicators for the Society of Indian Autobomile Manufacturers (SIAM).

General Motors has recently announced that it would export its left-hand-drive version of Chevrolet Beat hatchback to Chile in the first quarter of 2015. Work will soon begin at its Talegaon plant.

Interestingly, Volkswagen, the leading car maker of Europe, is converting its Chakan plant near Pune from domestic to a major export hub. The plant is at present producing 100,000 units but is likely to double it by 2017-18. It exported 25,000 cars last year, but hopes to reach 60,000 units, that is more than double, by the end of this fiscal.

Ford India has already set up its base to make India a regional export hub for small cars. In April this year alone, the company saw a two-fold increase in its exports, when compared to last year.

The sector is having 'Great Expectations' from the Modi government to accelerate the economy through sensible policies and reforms. Let's wait to feel the winds of change and the whiz of the auto sector!

KPCT Organises Trade Meet

Krishnapatnam Port Container Terminal organised a Trade Meet in Chennai recently to commemorate successful container operations during the last one and a half years and acknowledge the support of the customers. Here's the press coverage and a group photograph:

Articles in Portfolio - KPCL Newsletter

(KPCL: Krishnapatnam Port Company Limited)

A look at Port Connectivity

No fooling this (1.4.14)!!!

Here's an article that was published in the March issue of Port Strategy and later on, on their website.
http://www.portstrategy.com/news101/world/asia/tipping-point

From Ignorance to Awareness

While recommending Martin Stopford’s Maritime Economics to a colleague, I was drawn to pouring over the pages again - the last time I did was during my Masters. Oh, boy! It is so refreshing to read him again. No wonder, one of my Korean friends is so keen to translate the book for the benefit of the Hangul readers. In the chapter ‘Bulk Cargo and the Economics of Bulk Shipping’, Martin reels out simple statistics of a typical bulk transport system:

• 1 sea voyage and 2 land journeys
• 4 storage areas located at the origin, the loading port, the discharging port and the destination
• 8 handling operations as the cargo moves in and out of the 4 storage areas
• 4 loading/unloading operations from land transport vehicles plus the ship loading and discharge
• 14 times of cargo handling between the producer and the consumer

“No wonder transport system designers are so interested in finding ways to reduce this cost,” he sums up.

Source: Martin Stopford, Maritime Economics 2^nd Ed

This is just an example of his eye for detail and description. Elsewhere, he says a country’s pattern of sea trade depends on three variables – GNP, the stage of development and natural resources – and the character of trade changes as the country develops. He terms this as the Trade Development Cycle.

The book is worth a read for those interested in understanding the dynamics of maritime trade.

A visit to Hamburg at the turn of the decade and Martin’s presence in a gathering there meant meeting just another guest. Oh yeah! Blissfully ignorant!

For a quick sustainability report at Krishnapatnam Port, please access: http://www.krishnapatnamport.com/data/Sustainability_Report_2016-17.pdf

At India Maritime Week 2014

Big Prospects, Big Challenges, India Marching Ahead. Yeah, the picture says it all...

At the 3rd India Maritime HR Summit as part of the week-long event.

Sharing My Experience At the Graduation Ceremony

Here's the video link to my speech. My Graduation Speech 

The video was shot by my friend Vazhi, who lives in Paris, France. He came all the way to Rotterdam, with his two little daughters.

The articulate ones among the graduating students were invited to speak at the NMU Graduation Ceremony. Incidentally, the two of us were class toppers. Many of the classmates, who had either rejoined/joined work, could not make it to the big day. Another ceremony is scheduled in March this year.