This is the last part of the SHIPS 2011 (Strategies, Human Resources, Infrastructure, Processes and Security) Conference with the theme ‘Build Ships – Build India’ hosted by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and National Maritime Foundation (NMF) at The Gateway Hotel, Kochi, Kerala on 27 and 28 September 2011.

The SHIPS 2011: “Build Ships – Build India” Seminar continued on 28 September 2011. Some interesting features of the second day seminar are:

• Morning:
  • Plenary sessions on Indigenisation, Shipyard Productivity.
  • Speakers of the seminar were honoured.
• Afternoon:
  • Panel Discussion was conducted as a colloquium by all participants formed into four brain storming groups to discuss on Policy, Productivity, Indigenisation and Human Resources.
  • Seminar was concluded with valedictory session.
  • A visit to Cochin Shipyard Ltd was arranged for a group of 25 to 30 delegates.

Day 2 Proceedings: 28 September 2011

Plenary Session V: Indigenisation

• Opening Remarks & Chair: Capt (Retd) SK Patnaik, Head – Marine Marketing Business, Larson & Toubro Ltd.
• “Warship Building in India – Present, Past and Future”: by Commodore Anil Kumar Saxena, Warship Production Superintendent, Mumbai.
• “Opportunities and Challenges in Warship Building in India – An Indian Navy Perspective”: by Commander Rajeev Sreedharan, Directorate of Naval Design, New Delhi.

Highlights

• India is having a glorious maritime heritage; but around the period of independence, India could not match the capability (to design and build warships) available with other countries; now India has built around 80 warships with 18 Indian designs.
• Presently Indian Navy has the largest pool of Naval Architects in the country with the capability to design all types of warships; also current warships are being constructed with 60% to 80% indigenous content; if the present trend continues, India can become a warship seller to the world.
• India’s core capabilities in warship design
  • Structural design.
  • Stealth.
  • Hydrodynamics.
  • Propulsion system integration.
  • HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning).
• Earlier Public Sector Shipyards like MDL, GRSE, GSL were engaged in warship construction; now CSL and HSL are also engaged in warship construction.
• Features unique to Indian warship building
  • Extremely complex engineering activity that involves integration of equipment, systems of various manufacturers from India and other countries.
  • Undergoes frequent midcourse corrections due to technological advancements and to comply to the latest military strategy.
  • Prolonged financial sanction procedures followed by the government.
  • No significant learning curve benefits because of small batch sizes of warships.
  • Telescopic design and construction because of long gestation periods.
  • Thrust on indigenisation, to overcome possible ‘sanctions’ from other countries.
  • Slow decision making as the number of stakeholders are more.
  • Higher shipyard effort is needed to deliver the warship.
• Factors affecting development of indigenous material and equipment for warship building
  • Government:
    • Restricts production of many items by private industry to safeguard military interests.
    • Complicated and prolonged procedures set up by the government to procure material from vendors.
    • Overdependence on foreign OEMs for the supply of material.
  • Vendors:
    • Show least interest to indigenise materials/products as it involves huge investments and less volume of business.
    • Performance of most of the vendors are not satisfactory.
• Now Indian Navy has started placing orders to build low weapon intensive warships by private shipyards.
• What needs to be done further for warship building ?
  • Capacity expansion with modern shipbuilding techniques to meet the growing requirements of warships by the Indian Navy.
  • Shipyards have to improve productivity.
  • Synergise the strengths of Public Sector and Private Sector.
  • Develop a strong shipyard-vendor partnership.
  • Focus on R&D and Technology Development.
  • More government support for warship building.
  • Develop industry practices and processes to suit evolutionary nature of warship building.
  • Codify materials with Indian Standards (in line with global standards) to boost indigenisation.

Plenary Session VI: Shipyard Productivity

• Opening Remarks & Chair: Mr Antony Prince, President, GTR Campbell Marine Consultants Ltd, Nassau, Bahamas.
• “Productivity in Indian Shipyards – A Coast Guard Perspective”: by DIG Arun Shrivastav, Director (Material), Indian Coast Guard.
• “Warship Construction in India – Can enhanced shipyard productivity improve delivery periods”: by Capt M Nirmal Menon, Warship Production Superintendent, Kochi, Indian Navy.

Highlights

• Indian Coast Guard ships are being constructed by both Public and Private Sector shipyards; Indian Coast Guard faces problems in both type of shipyards for ship construction; there is a need to benchmark shipbuilding processes of Indian shipyards to global standards; this will help to improve the productivity of Indian shipyards.
• Problems faced in Public Sector shipyards
  • Lack of modernisation and automation.
  • Design capability not of international standards.
  • Delays in Planning and Procurements.
  • Low productivity.
• Problems in Private Sector shipyards
  • Commercial considerations play a major role.
  • Lack of quality control mechanism.
  • Low productivity.
  • Deviation from standard shipbuilding procedures.
• Common grey areas
  • Poor product support.
  • Lack of ancillary support.
  • Over-dependence on manufacturers based abroad.
  • Lack of quality and trained manpower.
• Advantages seen in foreign shipyards for shipbuilding
  • Great emphasis on use of jigs, frames, lifting tools, mock ups, templates etc.,
  • Automation.
  • Production dash boards available to monitor daily progress.
  • Emphasis on time, space and safety management.
• Post-launching build periods for warships are abnormally high in India; this leads to
  • Obsolescence of equipment.
  • Preservation of equipment till installation and commissioning.
  • Risk of losing warranty/guarantee.
  • Technology is outdated by the time warship is delivered.
• Reasons for long construction periods for warships in Indian shipyards
  • Design changes and midcourse corrections.
  • Complicated procedures lead to delayed approvals.
  • Lack of indigenisation and over-dependence on foreign suppliers.
  • Not following integrated ship construction.
  • Lack of Planning and Project Management.
• Modernisation needed in Indian shipyards to improve productivity.
  • Docks & Crane facility.
  • High capacity cranes.
  • Improved shop facilities.
  • Trained manpower.
  • Use of CAD/CAM and other IT solutions in shipbuilding processes.
  • Implementing integrated construction.

Plenary Session VII: Colloquium

All the participants were formed into four groups to discuss on the following topics as per their choice:

• Government Policy.
  • Uniform Inland Vessel Act for all states have to be promulgated like Kerala Inland Vessels Rules, 2010.
  • National level directory of ship builders, ship repairers, marine vendors must be compiled, published and to be updated regularly.
  • Government support must be extended to both private and public sector shipyards to market their products.
  • National Shipbuilding Corporation with representatives from maritime domain has to be established.
  • National Port Authority must be established to control the sea ports like Airport Authority of India
• Shipyard Productivity.
  • Shipyards must have state of the art design capability to ensure error-free, defect-free shipbuilding; ship designers must have practical exposure to ship building and seafaring to be good designers; a good design helps to reduce time and cost over run.
  • Shipyards must interact with each other to improve productivity.
  • Shipyards must have a strong vendor base to reduce procurement time and to procure quality material.
  • Improve project management skills to avoid rework/reduce process time. 
• Indigenisation.
  • Encourage reverse engineering to speed up indigenisation.
  • Encourage joint ventures with foreign manufacturers with full technology transfer.
  • Avoid L1 syndrome.
  • Encourage R&D.
• Human Resources.
  • Consider training as an investment.
  • Encourage multi-skilling.
  • Benchmarking is necessary at training level (for the training institutes) to maintain uniform skill level.
  • Assure career progression for the employees.

Valedictory Session:

• Valedictory Address: by Mr KKM Kutty, Past Chairman, CII SR and CEO & Managing Director Sealings & Jointings.
• Vote of Thanks: by Gp Captain (Retd) LV Mohandas, Head – IT & Internal Security, CII – SR.

More photographs are available in Flickr.

• SHIPS 2011: Plenary Session V – Indigenisation
• SHIPS 2011: Plenary Session VI – Shipyard Productivity
• SHIPS 2011: Plenary Session VII – Colloquium
• SHIPS 2011: Honouring Speakers
• SHIPS 2011: Valedictory Session

This is part 2 of 3 of the SHIPS 2011 (Strategies, Human Resources, Infrastructure, Processes and Security) Conference with the theme ‘Build Ships – Build India’ hosted by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and National Maritime Foundation (NMF) at The Gateway Hotel, Kochi, Kerala on 27 and 28 September 2011.

The SHIPS 2011: “Build Ships – Build India” Seminar went on with the following plenary sessions on 27 September 2011, after the inaugural session:

• Plenary Session I – Strategies: Intended to bring out the options available in India and to list the factors to emerge as a major world shipbuilding power; how to benchmark the shipbuilding industry in India; resources needed to achieve the national maritime objectives and the areas that need attention.
• Plenary Session II – Processes: Intended to assess the shipbuilding processes in public and private sector shipyards in areas such as ship design, shipbuilding, inspection, classification and certification; role of Information Technology (IT) in these processes and scope of up-gradation of these processes.
• Plenary Session III – Infrastructure: Intended to assess the present shipbuilding infrastructure in areas like physical infrastructure, connectivity, funding, financing, statutory and regulatory aspects.
• Plenary Session IV – Human Resources: Intended to develop a dedicated shipbuilding cadre to meet the technological advancements taking place in ship design, shipbuilding, manning ships including R&D for both warships and merchant ships.

Day 1 Proceedings (continued): 27 September 2011

Plenary Session I: Strategies

• Opening Remarks & Chair: Rear Admiral S Madhusudhanan, Flag Officer (SPV and AOB), Naval Head Quarters, New Delhi.
• “Ship Building – Why we are behind ? Strategies for growth”: by Mr Antony Prince, President, GTR Campbell Marine Consultants Ltd, Nassau, Bahamas.
• “Challenges of Building and Operating Marine (Assets/Crafts) in India”: by Mr Johnson Mathew, Chairman & Managing Director, Trans Asian Shipping Services Pvt Ltd.

Highlights

• Indian Shipbuilding comprises of Warship Building and Commercial Shipbuilding; it is unique as the shipyard has to sell first and then build the ship for the buyer.
• Shipbuilding has long gestation period, needs lot of funding, installs costly equipment and is labour intensive; this combination can become a disaster if not handled well; it is highly rewarding if handled properly; strategies are needed to make it profitable.
• National Shipbuilding Capability Index for the shipyards has to be brought out.
• Shipbreaking/recycling industry must not be neglected and the norms have to be set for this industry.
• India lags behind China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Philippines in shipbuilding and ship repair.
• What prevents India to become a world leader (like in IT) in Shipbuilding ?
  • Lack of Vision, Resolve and Management.
  • Lack of a ‘Sam Pitroda’ in Indian Shipbuilding.
• Shipyard’s Low Productivity and Delayed Delivery Schedules are preventing India to compete in the world shipbuilding market. The reasons are:
  • Lack of Management and Commitment.
  • Short term policies and Short term appointment of CMDs in Shipyards.
  • Lack of experienced design engineers, production engineers.
  • Lack of development in ship design technology and production technology.
  • Poor labour relations.
  • Outdated government policies.
  • Lack of support from Ship Owners (buyers), Classification Societies.
  • Buyers’ inexperienced supervisory staff.
• India’s ship design capabilities may be fairly good for warships but remains very poor for designs relating to merchant ships including Coast Guard ships.
• India is unable to use the latest IT tools in shipbuilding as India still lacks in basic ship design and production technology.
• Indigenous content in shipbuilding needs enhancement; this can be achieved by formulating vision and goal oriented government policies to attract OEMs to tie up with Indian manufacturers.
• Government support is needed to develop infrastructure, to improve ship design and production technology, to implement ERP systems in shipbuilding.
• Development of a Shipbuilding Cadre in Managerial, Supervisory and Technician levels can be achieved by providing necessary training; cost of training has to be considered as an investment instead of looking at it as an avoidable expenditure; for the last eight years due to non availability of expertise in ship design and production, most of the orders to build ships were either cancelled or postponed; we have to be ‘proactive’ in this area instead of remaining ‘reactive’.
• Multiple professional associations/bodies in maritime domain must understand that shipping industry and the nation’s interest is foremost; they must unify and work together to bring up the shipping industry by interacting with the government.
• An independent, powerful National Ocean Commission headed by a ‘Sam Pitroda’ of the shipping industry has to be set up; all departments of the central government and state governments dealing in  maritime domain must be brought under this commission; representatives from Finance, Home, Defence & Merchant shipping, Commerce, Revenue, Customs, Environment, Education, Labour ministries, Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard, Ship Designers, Shipbuilding industry, Ship owners, Ship managers, Educational institutions, Banks, Insurance, Labour unions etc., must be in the National Shipbuilding Panel to support this National Ocean Commission.
• Experience of Mr Antony Prince, President, GTR Campbell Marine Consultants Ltd, Nassau, Bahamas with Indian shipbuilders
  • Extreme success: In end 2003 placed order for six bulk carriers with CSL, four bulk carriers with HSL; both shipyards delivered ships without any problem.
  • Extreme failure: In 2007, placed order for six vessels with a private shipyard and not even a single vessel is delivered till now.
• There was unanimous support from the audience to nominate Mr Antony Prince as ‘Sam Pitroda’ of Indian shipping industry.
• Though there is a need to build adequate port infrastructure, the existing under utilised non major ports must be fully exploited.
• Experience of Mr Johnson Mathew, Chairman & Managing Director, Trans Asian Shipping Services Pvt Ltd as a Ship Owner in India
  • Trans Asian Shipping Services took a bold decision in the year 2005 to build a multipurpose vessel in India to operate in minor ports world wide.
  • Design was ready in 2006; due to prolonged delay in getting approval for the design from Indian Register of Shipping (IRS), design approval was taken from  International Register for Shipping.
  • Keel was laid in 2009 at Century Shipyard in Kochi, Kerala.
  • The vessel ‘Karuthal’ (1600 DWT, 94 TEU capacity) with 95% indigenous material, machinery, expertise and technology was launched in mid 2009; again lot of problems were experienced from Indian authorities to launch the vessel.
  • The vessel was put in service in end 2009; though the vessel successfully operates in Middle East Gulf, the vessel is unable to transport domestic cargo between non major ports in India as the vessel is not Indian flagged and to get a Indian flag, the vessel has to be IRS classed; IRS is delaying certification without giving any valid reasons; As a solution, Mr Antony Prince opined that DG Shipping may have to certify vessels to operate within Indian Coast as followed in Japan and China.
  • This ship owner is also planning to operate combi river-sea vessels in the north – south corridor in the east and west coast of India.
• Views of Mr Johnson Mathew, Chairman & Managing Director, Trans Asian Shipping Services Pvt Ltd as a Ship Owner
  • In China if their shipyards are full, they build ships in paddy fields and launch ships by using strong rubber tubes.
  • Indian container manufacturers have closed down due to tough competition from China.
  • Monopoly of IRS has to change.
  • Most of the impossible feats were achieved by people who were so dumb that they didn’t know it was not possible.

Plenary Session II: Processes

• Opening Remarks & Chair: Cmde (Retd) Kartik Subramaniam, Chairman & Managing Director and Officiating Director (Operations), Cochin Shipyard Limited.
• “Information Technology: The New Glue for Shipbuilding”: by Mr R Shankar, Executive Vice President – India, Middle East, & Africa, Ramco Systems.
• “Importance of Life Saving Appliances on Ships”: by Mr K Balasubramaniam, Managing Partner, Marine Equipment & Technical Manager, Vadyar Boats Pvt Ltd.

Highlights

• Shipbuilding has now become a science from the traditional version of being an art.
• Cochin Shipyard, Hindustan Shipyard, Mundra Port (Gujarat Adani Port Ltd) use Ramco Systems’ IT Solutions.
• Factors affecting Indian Shipbuilding Industry
  • Government Policy
  • Capacity
  • Marine Supply Industry
  • Forex
  • Labour cost
• IT tools like ERP, CAD/CAM, CAE, PLM, BPM, BI/DM can be easily used to improve productivity in shipbuilding in the following processes:
  • Ship Design
  • Contract
  • Steel Storage Pretreatment
  • Steel Cutting
  • Erection and Launching
  • Assembly and Painting
  • Final outfitting
  • Sea Trial and Delivery
• Life Saving Appliances:
  • Ships are provided with life saving appliances like Life Boats, Rescue Boats, Life Rafts, Life Jackets, Life Buoys for 100% of crew capacity.
  • Material used for life saving appliances are: Wood, Steel, Aluminum, GRP.
  • In addition to manual launching of life boats, now there are Free Fall Life Boats and Vertical Fall Life Boats.
  • Though tremendous progress has taken place in design, building of davits and life boats, the maintenance of these equipment still lag behind.
  • Efforts are being made to minimise accidents in using life saving appliances by improving design, by implementing stringent inspection/certification, by training the ships crew to maintain and use life saving appliances safely.
• Possibilities of using the expertise available with life boat manufacturers, must be examined to manufacture small crafts for use in inland waterways to ferry cargo and passengers.
• Demand to procure life boats from India has reduced as new ships are being ordered/built in foreign shipyards; however there is demand for rescue boats, work boats.
• Inspection/certification/approval of one state maritime board is not recognised by other state maritime boards; this is a road block to marine industry’s growth.

Plenary Session III: Infrastructure

• Opening Remarks & Chair: Rear Admiral (Retd) BR Menon, Ex Chairman, Kerala Shipping & Inland Navigation Corporation Ltd and Adviser to the Government of Kerala for development of Inland waterways.
• “Shipbuilding Infrastructure – L & T’s Perspective”: by Capt (Retd) SK Patnaik, Head – Marine Marketing Business, Larson & Toubro Ltd.
• “Integrated Shipbuilding Strategy with Product Lifecycle Management”: by Rear Admiral (Retd) Rajeev Paralikar, Domain Consultant, ITC Infotech Ltd.

Highlights

• Infrastructure
  • Ports and Shipyards
    • Development of ports and development of shipbuilding are the two sides of the same coin.
    • 68% of people from BPL (Below Poverty Line), live in the coasts of India; employability of people living in the coast can be achieved only by developing non major ports.
    • The future of Indian Shipbuilding depends on the development of non major ports.
    • Port Control Authority should do least controlling and should not become a road block in the development of ports and shipyards.
  • Location: the practice of constructing berths/jetties for ships at convenient locations without considering the navigational aspects/sea currents has to be avoided; in six of the recently constructed berths by spending crores of rupees at Lakshadweep islands, not even a single ship can be berthed; developing ports, shipyards in the right location is equally important.
  • Dredging: It is the most neglected activity in India; science of dredging needs to be understood; if dredging is not given importance, ports will be unsafe for navigation.
  • Connectivity: Connectivity of ports/shipyards through roadways,railways and waterways must be considered in addition to connectivity through sea.
  • Funding: The subsidies given to shipping industry was withdrawn by the government, as it was not fully utilised by the industry; but as the shipbuilding is capital intensive, subsidy has to be continued; shipbuilding has developed/being developed in China, Korea, Brazil, New Zealand only by government support.
• Digital Shipbuilding
  • Helps to design the way it is built: Outputs are Complex Jigs & Fixture details, Production drawings, Engineering bill of material, Isometric generation, Shipping in/out routs.
  • Uses Product Lifecycle Management (PLM): for all areas of project execution like Design, Planning, Manufacture, Support.
  • Ensures to build the right product and to build the product right: by using right bill of materials, the right quality standards, the right system level performance requirements.
  • Error-free seamless integration of Design & Engineering Hub with Manufacturing Hub.
• Benefits of PLM based Digital Manufacturing
  • Improves planning & scheduling.
  • Eliminates rework.
  • Shortens time-to-production.
  • System centric project execution.
  • Gives “Build Anywhere & Assemble Anywhere” option.
  • Competitive advantage through adaptable and lean manufacturing practices.
• L & T has the following Design & Technology Centers
  • Warship Design Center.
  • Submarine Design Center.
  • Commercial Ship Design Center.
  • Product & Technology Development Center.
  • Technology Development Center – Electronics.
• IT applications are now available from ITC Infotech & PTC for the following complex shipbuilding activities
  • Ship Design.
  • Materials Procurement.
  • Fabrication of Hull Blocks.
  • Assembly of Hull Blocks in a Dry Dock or at a Berth.
  • Fitting Out at an alongside berth.
  • Trials and Delivery.
• Infrastructure required for modern shipyards
  • Optimally designed work areas, docks and wharfs.
  • Multi disciplinary modular workshops.
  • Extensive use of CAM and High productivity machine tools.
  • Heavy lift cranes and Haulage equipment.
• Key result areas for a Shipyard
  • Infrastructure.
  • Effective control systems.
  • Skills and Training of Human Resources.

Plenary Session IV: Human Resources

• Opening Remarks, presentation on “Need of the Hour – Trained Skills in Maritime Sector” & Chair: by Capt Suresh Bhardwaj, Vice Chancellor, AMET University.
• “Human Resources”: by Ms Urmila Shetty, Chief Manager HR – Officers Section, Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL).
• “Research Challenges for Shipping Industry – HR Perspectives”: by Dr Srinivasan Sundarrajan, Director, National Institute of Technology, Trichy.

Highlights

• Economic growth cannot be achieved without a strong human capital.
• We have to invest, nurture and support an environment to enhance the skills, productivity, employability of the human capital.
• Trained skills needed for the maritime sector has to be jointly addressed by the three stakeholders namely the Government, Shipping Industry and Marine Training Institutions.
• Human Resource Strategies of Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL).
  • Organisation Structure.
  • Right-sized Workforce.
  • Building Quality Workforce.
  • Training Activities.
  • Multi-Skilling.
  • Production Norms.
• MDL successfully performs by maintaining 75% workforce in permanent roll and 25% of workforce on contract employment (not sub-contract, keeping in roll for two year period).
• MDL has rationalised 134 trades into 34 trades by multi-skilling; these 34 trades are further brought into 4 groups based on the skill level.
• MDL has brought down Man-Days/Tonne of fabrication from 65 in 2004-2005 to 42 in 2010-2011.
• Number of female engineers employed in MDL are increasing and they perform well like their male counterparts (earlier female engineers were not there in shipyards).
• NIT – Trichy proposes to set up a Center of Excellence for Shipping R & D by involving Shipyards/Indian Navy/Merchant Navy, Marine Supply Industries, Classification Societies, Marine University/Academy.
• NIT – Trichy’s Shipping R & D will focus on high performance, less maintenance, energy efficiency, environment friendliness, sustainability.

More photographs are available in Flickr.

• SHIPS 2011: Plenary Session I – Strategies
• SHIPS 2011: Plenary Session II – Processes
• SHIPS 2011: Plenary Session III – Infrastructure
• SHIPS 2011: Plenary Session IV – Human Resources

Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and National Maritime Foundation (NMF) hosted SHIPS 2011 (Strategies, Human Resources, Infrastructure, Processes and Security) Conference with the theme ‘Build Ships – Build India’ at The Gateway Hotel, Kochi, Kerala on 27 and 28 September 2011.

It is worth noting that Kochi in addition to being a major port, is having a large Public Sector Shipyard and is also the Head Quarters for the Southern Naval Command of the Indian Navy. The Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) offers courses in marine engineering and marine sciences. Further Naval Academy of the Indian Navy (at Ezhimala), Coast Guard Academy (coming up at Azhikkal), National Institute for Research and Development in Defence Shipbuilding (NIRDESH coming up at Chaliyam, Kadalundi Beypore) are in Kerala.

The two day seminar was attended by the representatives from Ship Owners, Ship Builders, Marine Equipment Manufacturers/Suppliers, Classification Society, Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard and other marine disciplines including foreign delegates.

On the evening of 27 September 2011, Prof P J Cherian of Kerala Council for Historical Research was honoured by Vice Admiral KN Sushil, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command and NMF for his report on Pattanam Archaeological Research 2011.

I have covered this Seminar SHIPS 2011 in three parts (this being part 1 of 3).

Day 1 Proceedings: 27 September 2011

Inaugural Session

• Opening Address: by Mr KKM Kutty, Past Chairman, CII SR and CEO & Managing Director Sealings & Jointings.
• Theme Address: by Vice Admiral (Retd) Pradeep Kaushiva, Director, National Maritime Foundation.
• Keynote Address: by Mr Paul Antony, IAS, Chairman, Cochin Port Trust.
• Special Address: by Mr Manoj Joshi, IAS, Secretary – Ports & Secretary PWD (Addl Charge), Government of Kerala.
• Address by Chief Guest: Vice Admiral B Kannan, Programme Director, ATV Project, Indian Navy.
• Concluding Remarks: by Gp Captain (Retd) LV Mohandas, Head – IT & Internal Security, CII – SR.

Highlights of the Inaugural Session

• Maritime Agenda 2010 – 2010 was released by the government on 13 January 2011; as a follow up, IMTC 2011 was held at Chennai on 21 and 22 January 2011; IMTC 2011 has triggered this SHIPS 2011 to take place now.
• Strategies:
  • Maritime Agenda 2010 – 2010 released by the government gives a predictive analysis for ports and trades upto the year 2025; it needs further refinement as it does not give trend analysis pertaining to shipping, shipbuilding, human resources.
  • Shipping industry is a unique industry where ships can be built anywhere in the world, flagged anywhere in the world, brought duty free and can be operated anywhere in the world as convenient; this industry grows only where the construction cost and time are less and also where the government policies, rules are industry friendly.
  • Withdrawal of subsidies has upset the Indian shipping industry; Indian Shipbuilding industry needs ten more years to become a self sustaining industry.
  • Now the shipbuilding industry needs to be declared as a strategic industry (with simple tax policy) and has to be governed by a fully empowered single regulating body.
  • Inland Waterways needs to be strengthened for cargo movement and for ferrying passengers to accelerate economic growth of the country and this can give a boost for building inland water crafts by the shipbuilding industry.
  • Despite increase in the volume of global trade through sea, Indian merchant fleet remains small due to lack of growth in Indian shipping industry; this has forced us to procure our strategic requirement of crude, oil and coal through foreign flagged vessels (this is not desirable during conflicts).
  • To increase the Indian merchant fleet strength, private shipyards must focus on building large merchant vessels.
• Human Resources:
  • Labour intensive component of shipbuilding has driven this industry from Europe to China, South Korea and Japan.
  • Indian Maritime University has to focus on addressing the present shortage of skilled man power needed to design, build and to man ships to meet the growing demand of the shipping industry.
  • Functioning of private institutes offering courses in shipping are to be streamlined.
• Infrastructure:
  • Maritime Agenda 2010 – 2010 released by the government focuses more on 13 major ports as they are under the control of the central government and the 187 non major ports (earlier known as minor ports) are left out as they are under the control of the state governments; however Gujarat has taken the initiative to develop maximum number of non major ports.
  • Non availability of land, hinders expansion of Public Sector shipyards.
  • Indian Defence Public Sector Units (DPSU) are unable to meet the shipbuilding requirements of Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard; private shipyards are supporting DPSUs by undertaking off loaded jobs from these DPSUs; now the recently proposed Joint Venture (JV) between MDL and Pipavav shipyards is a welcome move.
• Processes:
  • Ports must be automated for faster handling of containers and use port specific software for faster turn around of ships; operating cost of ships needs to be minimised by improving berthing, dredging, cargo handling facilities in ports.
  • NMF has undertaken the task of benchmarking the productivity of Indian shipyards.

Maritime Philatelic Exhibition

Philatelic Exhibition by Mr D Hemchandra Rao, Naval Historian & Chairman, Naval Philatelic Society.

• Release of Special Cover to mark the occasion: SHIPS 2011 “Build Ships – Build India”.

Inauguration of Marine Exposition: Marine equipment/products manufactured by the shipping industry were displayed. Marine exposition consisted of the stalls from

• Aerial Services Pvt Ltd
• Aska Equipments Ltd
• ITC Infotec & PTC
• Madras Hardtools Pvt Ltd
• Maxsurf – The Ship Design Software
• Mypol
• Nivo Controls Pvt Ltd
• Ramco Systems
• Tyco Electronics Corporation (I) Pvt Ltd
• Vadyar Boats Pvt Ltd

More photographs are available in Flickr.

• SHIPS 2011: Registration
• SHIPS 2011: Inaugural Address
• SHIPS 2011: Naval Philatelic Exhibition
• SHIPS 2011: Marine Industry Stalls & Products Display

The sixth edition of biennial Def Expo-2010 (Land & Naval Defence Systems Exhibition) is ready to start at New Delhi on February 15. The four day event will be inaugurated by the Defence Minister Shri AK Antony at Pragati Maidan. The Def Expo-2010 is the largest ever Defence Exposition in Asia and provides an opportunity to the international defence industry to promote and showcase their products and services. The event is being organized by the Defence Exhibition Organisation, Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence, Government of India. The first exhibition was held in 1999 and subsequently in 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2008.

It may be noted that China and Pakistan were not invited to this event as these countries also do not invite India to participate in similar events conducted by them.

Some interesting features of Def Expo-2010 are:

• To focus on global land and naval systems business activity – from suppliers to manufacturers, technology providers to services.
• 650 companies from over 35 countries are expected to display weapon systems for Army and Navy.
• To be participated by USA, UK, Russia, Austria, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Israel, Korea, Netherlands, Norway, New Zealand, Poland, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Ukraine, Germany, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Israel Italy, Malaysia and South Africa.
• Israel is the biggest participating country in terms of space occupied (1248 sq metres) and USA is represented with the maximum number of 25 companies.
• Defence Ministers from UK, Bulgaria, Hungary, Nigeria, Turkey, Uganda, Senegal and Suriname.
• Official delegations from 41 countries are expected to attend.
• Naval Chiefs from Kazakhstan, Mozambique, Brunei, Qatar and Senegal and Army Chief from Mongolia will also attend the exhibition.

View a video clip: India’s Defence Expo 2010 to attract 650 companies

For more details, log on to Defexpo-2010.

METS (Marine Equipment Trade Show) incorporating the SuperYacht Pavilion 2009 opened on November 17 at Amsterdam RAI Convention Centre, Amsterdam, Netherlands. This year’s (Design Award METS) DAME Award 2009 winners were announced by Bill Dixon, Chairman of the Jury of the DAME.

The 19th annual DAME Award competition received a total of 125 products from 108 companies. A total of 53 products were short listed for final selection. From these, Overall DAME Winner, together with 7 outright Category Winners, and two special certificates for ‘Most ECO Friendly’ and ‘Most Innovative’ product and 14 Special Mentions were selected.

The DAME Award 2009 winners are:

• Overall DAME Winner 2009: FLIR Systems from the Netherlands for the M-626L Series Thermal Night Vision System.
• Category Winners:
  • Marine electronics: 626L by FLIR Systems.
  • Interior equipment, furnishings, materials and electrical fittings used in cabins: LLEY by Foresti & Suardi S.p.A.
  • Deck equipment, sails, and rigging: SCR by Hall Spars & Rigging.
  • Clothing and crew accessories: Blue Eco Jacket by Henri Lloyd.
  • Life saving and safety equipment: RIB Ladder by Armstrong Nautical Products.
  • Machinery, propulsion, mechanical and electrical systems and fittings: GPX-5, the Ultimate Hybrid Power Solution by Mastervolt.
  • Marine related software: iSiMON by Palladium Technologies, Inc.
• Special Certificates to:
  • Most ECO-Friendly Product certificate: Blue Eco Jacket by Henri Lloyd.
  • Most Innovative Product certificate: SilKEN by Kenyon.
• Special Mentions to:
  • Marine electronics: Navico Broadband Radar (BR24)
  • Interior equipment, furnishings, materials and electrical fittings used in cabins:
    • Kenyon SilKEN.
    • ITT Lite Flush.
    • Wempe NAVIGATOR.
  • Marina equipment, boatyard equipment and boat construction tools and materials: DRAINMAN Powered by nature.
  • Deck equipment, sails, and rigging:
    • Admiral Marine Equipment Race & Reef Furler.
    • Future Fibres Low Profile (LP) Adjuster.
    • Perfix Q-SNAP.
    • Seasmart Hook Smart.
  • Clothing and crew accessories: MUSTO Active Base Layer.
  • Life saving and safety equipment: McMurdo Fast Find 210.
  • Machinery, propulsion, mechanical and electrical systems and fittings:
    • Dometic Breathe Easy Air Purifier.
    • Fischer Panda HybridDriveSystem.
  • Marine related software: Kelvin Hughes, Wiley Nautical Almanac 2009.

For more details, log on to Super Yacht Pavilion 2009 – DAME.

Post in MarineBuzz on this day a year before:

Madras High Court Orders Arrest of MV Vinashin Island at Tuticorin

Shipbuilding, Machinery & Marine Technology International Trade Fair 2009 commenced on November 12 at the Bombay Exhibition Centre (BEC), Mumbai.

SMM India 2009 of three days is the second overseas event of SMM (Hamburg/Germany), the world’s leading trade fair for international ship building industry. It is organised by Hamburg Messe und Congress GmbH (HMC) and two other partners and co-organisers INTER ADS Exhibitions Pvt. Ltd, India’s largest trade show organizer, and E. J. Krause & Associates, Inc., a globally active US event specialist.

The event features more than 100 exhibitors including 50 per cent Indian shipyards and marine equipment suppliers, displaying the latest technologies and products for shipbuilding and the maritime equipment industry.

Read more from press release from SMM 2009: Ushers in a new chapter in domestic shipping industry with a strong global connect

Posts in MarineBuzz on this day a year before:

Schiebel Camcopter S-100 Completes Sea Trials in German Navy

Current TV Explores Modern Day Pirates in the Strait of Malacca

Update: November 13

During the trade fair, CMD of Hindustan Shipyard has told that a dockyard for large crude carriers at an estimated cost of INR 3,000-4,000 crore with public private partnership is going to be set up by HSL at Andhra Pradesh or Orissa. Read more from The Economic Times.

48th Barcelona International Boat Show (BIBS) is ready to start on November 07 with the slogan “a sea of opportunities”. The annual event organized by Fira de Barcelonais is open to professionals and public. The show will offer visitors a wide range of opportunities in accessories, canoes and kayaks, electronics, charter, sail and motor boats, inflatables, engines, trailers, sails, nautical tourism, windsurfing & surfing, jet skis, fishing, yachts and super yachts.

Some interesting features of BIBS are:

• To be held at: Halls 2 and 3 of the Gran Via Exhibition Centre and the La Fusta and Espanya wharves in Port Vell
• Duration: November 07 to 15, 2009
• Exhibitors:380, Spanish and foreign
• Countries represented: 35
• Surface area: 70,000 square metre net between the Gran Via and Port Vell
• Gran Via venue to have five theme area:
  • The Innovation Area – to feature design and technological projects with the aim of showing the new contributions and projects of design centres, engineering companies and shipyards.
  • The Fun Beach Area – to attract young people with the aim of providing facilities to learn to sail aboard small boats and to promote nautical sports. It has a swimming pool equipped with wind generators for light sailing.
  • Traditional Marina Area – to have Schooners, dories and wooden boats to highlight the historic memory and preservation of maritime heritage. Visitors can see how boats are crafted and can participate in workshops.
  • The Fishermen’s Area – to showcase new fishing rods, reels and equipment including virtual simulators to provide the sensations of deep-sea fishing.
  • The Espai del Mar (Sea Space) – for announcements of regattas, conferences and seminars, talks on navigation, etc.;  a space in which to keep abreast of new projects, share experiences and participate in debates.
• In Port Vell: Large vessels/mega-yachts to be on display.

For more details, log on to 48th Barcelona International Boat Show.

Post in MarineBuzz on this day a year before:

INDESEC EXPO 2008: Indo International Homeland Security and Defence Exhibition Ready to Start

Europort 2009 is ready to connect the maritime world from November 03 to 06 at Rotterdam.

Some interesting features of Europort 2009 are:

• The central theme of the event is ‘Advanced technology’
• To be inaugurated by the Dutch Prime Minister, Jan Peter Balkenende.
• 870 exhibitors from 35 countries are expected to showcase the newest maritime technologies covering 10 exhibition halls in the field of
  • Shipbuilding, repair & conversion
  • Propulsion and maneuvering
  • Electronics, communication and navigation
  • Mechanical and auxiliary systems
  • Deck, safety and special equipment
  • Maritime services
• To be held at: Ahoy congress and exhibition centre which is located close to the Port of Rotterdam.
• International maritime professionals from the following field are expected to attend
  • Classification societies
  • Port authorities
  • Engineering and design firms
  • Operators
  • Maintenance and repair services
  • Shippers
  • Ship owners
  • Shipbrokers and insurance agents
  • Shipyards
  • Surveyors
• To have national pavilions from Romania, Korea, China, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Poland, France, the USA and Great Britain.

Europort Maritime 2007 was the second edition of the merged exhibitions Europort (in Amsterdam) and Rotterdam Maritime (in Rotterdam). Europort, organized for the first time in 1963, was held 31 times. Rotterdam Maritime took place for the first time in 1983 and counted 12 editions.

For more details log on to Europort 2009.

Post in MarineBuzz on this day a year before:

Smart Globe Worlds First Internet Updateable Globe

International Istanbul Boat Show has commenced on October 21. Boat Show will go on till October 26. Fancy new 2010 model boats are on display. It is expected that over 200 companies will display approximately 600 local and international brands. More than 50,000 visitors are expected to attend.

For more details, log on to 28. International Istanbul Boat Show.

Posts in MarineBuzz on this day a year before:

Biggest Solar Powered Boat: PlanetSolar to Circumnavigate in 2010

First ‘Zemships-Zero Emission Ships’ Conference to be Held at H2Expo 2008

The 8th Annual Maritime Security Expo (MSE) 2009 Conference is ready to commence on October 20.

Some interesting features of the two day MSE 2009 Conference are:

• To be held at Long Beach Convention Center – Long Beach, CA
• Over 80 speakers are to focus on: Weathering the Perfect Storm – Faltering Economies, Climate Change and Maritime Security Regulations – How do we improve the security and flow of maritime commerce in challenging times?
• Topics to be discussed
  • Small Vessel Security: What have we learned? What’s next?
  • Underwater Security: Who can respond? What technology can help?
  • Maritime Fusion Centers: Preventing information overload – How do we cut through the clutter to see the threats?
  • Piracy: Prevention and Protection- Government provided or self-help? – What are the challenges and solutions and is the threat spreading beyond the littorals?
  • Anti-Piracy Training and Research: What are the current best practices and how can it be enhanced?
  • Piracy: Ship and Crew Captured- now what? Is paying ransom the best answer? - Challenges and solutions to a vexing problem
  • TWIC: Implementation has started- What’s been done, how is it working, does it improve security, and what can be done better?
  • Smuggling: Ensuring cargo integrity before loading and in transit- CSI and long-range vessel tracking – Where are we? What are the challenges? What are the risks and costs? What can technology do to help?
  • Traffic Management: Port closes, where to? – What are the issues, who makes the decisions, and are regulations required?
  • Persistent Surveillance Vehicles- New tool for Maritime Security?
  • Cyber Security & Technology: What are the maritime vulnerabilities? What are the protection strategies?
  • Northwest Passage: What’s happening in the Arctic?
  • Shipping LNG, LPG, Oil: What are future trends, risks, and mitigation options?
  • International Port/Facility Security: Are there too many security redundancies between U.S. and foreign ports? What can be done to create a more effective and efficient international security system?
  • Small and Medium Ports: How much security is required? What can be done to make it affordable?
  • Your Security Patrols- Are they really random? How do you maximize their deterrence value?
  • Security Intelligence: Information received, now what? How do you sanitize and distribute with a feedback loop?
  • After Action Report on Mumbai Attack

This conference meets the California Emergency Management Agency (CalEMA) approval for use of Department of Homeland Security funds.

For more details, log on to 8th Annual Maritime Security Expo.

Posts in MarineBuzz on this day a year before:

Irish Naval Ship to Get First Female Commander

Navy for Moms Delivers Poem: Sailors Gone to Sea

The 49th Genoa International Boat Show is ready to start on October 03.
Some interesting features of 49th Genoa International Boat Show are:

• To be held from October 03 to 11 at Genoa.
• Over 1,450 exhibitors.
• 2,400 boats – from small rowing boats to maxi-yachts.
• Organized by Fiera di Genova and UCINA-Confindustria Nautica.
• Conferences and other events:
  • Boating Industry General Assembly with a goal to identify practical, effective solutions to some of the main issues involving the boating sector, including taxation, protected marine areas, the creation of a widespread boating culture, and the organisation of nautical tourism.
  • Round Tables with specific themes: The boating industry – a new geography of “Made in Italy”; Nautical tourism as a driving force for coastal areas: from ports to inland areas; EU boating policies for the Mediterranean; The Boating Sector meets the Environment; When the sea washes schools: from playing to building a career.
• 300,000 square metre exhibition surface both ashore and in the sea.

View a video clip: 48th Boat Show – Flying Dancers & fireworks from Genoa

For more details, log on to 49th Genoa International Boat Show 2009.

Post in MarineBuzz on this day a year before:

Biologically Inspired Underwater Swimming Exoskeletons

INMEX India 2009, a Trade Exhibition and Forum on “Transforming India as a Maritime Hub” starts on September 24 at Mumbai.

Some interesting features of INMEX India 2009 are:

• On its 10th year, the 6th edition of INMEX India 2009 aims to develop India as a Maritime Hub.
• Over 400 Indian and international exhibitors are participating.
• Exhibitors are from: Shipbuilding, Ship repair, Marine offshore technology, Dredging, Ports and port technology, Ocean engineering, Marine equipment, Underwater robotics.
• Visitors are from: Navy, Coastguard, Port authorities, Government, Shipping companies, Shipbuilding and design, Dredging companies, Offshore and oil rig companies, Cargo handlers, Logistics providers.
• Also has Round Table Sessions and exclusive B2B meetings:
  • Round Table Session-1: Role of Ports & Logistics in Building a Maritime Hub.
  • Round Table Session-2: Shipping as an Infrastructural Sector of the Maritime Hub.
  • Round Table Session-3: Roadmap for India as a Hub for Ship Building & Equipment Sources.
  • Round Table Session-4: Offshore Services beyond Resource Exploration – An Insight.
  • Round Table Session-5: Profitable Logistics through Costal Shipping & Inland Waterways Infrastructure – The Reality.
  • Round Table Session-6: Regional Maritime Corridors & Maritime Promotion Council – A Unified Strategy in Transforming India as the Maritime Hub of the Future.
• Exclusive Maritime Workshop – in partnership with Holland Marine Equipment Association & The Royal Government of The Netherlands
  • Session 1: State-of-the-Art Dredging Technologies.
  • Session 2: Sustainable Port Development.
• Being held at Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai till September 26.
• Exhibitor list is here.

For more details, log on to INMEX India 2009.

Post in MarineBuzz on this day a year before:

More Indian Response Needed on Hijacking of MT Stolt Valor

The world’s largest fully integrated defence and security biennial exhibition, Defence Systems & Equipment International (DSEi) 2009 is scheduled to be held from September 08–11 at ExCeL London.

The latest land, air and sea capabilities from more than 1,350 companies from 40 countries are expected to be displayed.

Latest products in the following categories are to be displayed: Soldier systems & equipment; Communications; Surveillance; UAV; Marine; Electronics; Commercial; British Army Export Support Team – demonstration; Weapons, Defensive Systems, Munitions and Accessories; Field equipment; Vehicles & Equipment.

Some of the marine products to be displayed are:

• Fast Marine Target Drones (FMTD) System: high speed, cost-effective expendable target by ASV FMTD.
• New range of rigid inflatables from Watercraft specialist Brunswick Commercial and Government Products.
• Combat Ballistic Amphibious Shield System (CBASS) by CamlockTGE (Tactronics Tactical Systems Division).
• Virtually unsinkable floating barrier by Cochrane Steel Products.
• Next generation vessels by the DCNS Group.
• Free standing aircraft flight deck handling system by Douglas SPD, the special products division of Douglas Equipment.
• Combined navigation and C2: Integrated Navigation and Tactical System (INTS) by OSI Geospatial Inc.

In addition, there will be Waterborne Demonstrations on the dockside adjacent to ExCeL.

For more details, log on to Defence Systems & Equipment International 2009.

Post in MarineBuzz on this day a year before:

Archaeologists Discover Maya Underwater World in Mexico

The Royal Navy is preparing to host “Navy Days 2009 – Meet Your Navy” on September 05 and 06. The event is going to be held at Devonport Naval Base, Plymouth.

Some interesting features of the event are:

• To be held for the first time in 3 years at the largest naval base in Western Europe, Her Majesty’s Naval Base Devonport.
• To showcase the present and future capabilities of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines.
• Public will be allowed to meet the men and women who serve on ships and submarines.
• Show on water:
  • Public can visit a wide range of Royal Naval ships and submarines, including a Hunter-Killer nuclear submarine and the Falklands war veteran Courageous.
  • Helicopter carrier HMS Ocean, the largest ship in the fleet.
  • HMS Bulwark, the Fleet Amphibious Flagship.
  • The newest and most sophisticated warship HMS Daring, the first of the Type-45 Destroyers of the Royal Navy.
• Show on land:
  • ‘Back from the Frontline’ Exhibition by the Royal Marines.
  • A wide range of vehicles and weapons including Jackal, Viking, the awesome LCAC Military Hovercraft, and the Grenade Machine Gun will be on display.
  • Royal Navy’s Parachute Display Team and the Royal Artillery’s motorbike display team, the Flying Gunners.
• In addition there will be boarding demonstration, air display to recognise 100 years of naval aviation and performance by the Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines.

View an interesting video clip: Navy Days 2009 Promo Video

Read more from the Royal Navy (above photograph is from the Royal Navy).

Post in MarineBuzz on this day a year before:

Marine High Way: The Great Lakes St Lawrence Seaway System

The fourth International Maritime Defence Show (IMDS-2009) is going on at St.Petersburg. IMDS started on June 24 and is expected to finish on June 28. Some interesting features of IMDS 2009 are:

• Biennial show hosted by Russia from 2003.
• The show at Lenexpo exhibition center in St. Petersburg includes exhibition, demonstration, business and congress events, VIP-negotiations and visits to shipbuilding enterprises.
• 350 Russian and foreign companies and delegations from 47 countries are participating in the show.
• Impact of recession: nearly 20% of the last IMDS participants refused taking part this year due to the financial problems and 65 % of the participants decided to decrease the exposition areas.

• Some exhibits profile are:
  • Naval & Commercial Shipbuilding
  • Weapons, Armaments, Integrated Complexes & Fire Control Systems
  • Combat Control Systems, Communications, Radio-Electronics, Radars & Sonars
  • Marine Power Plants, Hull Systems, Gears & Auxiliary Machinery
  • Naval Aviation (Deck & Shore-Based)
  • Navigation, Hydrographical & Hydro-Meteorological Services & Hardware
  • Navy coastal forces arming
  • High-speed and small-size vessels, boats, yachts for supporting and commercial purposes
  • Logistics infrastructure
  • Harbour and hydraulic engineering
  • Navigation security
  • Search & Rescue equipment
  • Personnel Training
  • Industrial equipment in shipbuilding and associated industries
  • New Materials & Technologies
• Countries participating/exhibiting their products are here.
• India is represented by
  • BrahMos Aerospace
  • Force
  • Goa Shipyard Limited
  • JV Rosoboronservice (India)
• Four international scientific and practical conferences were also part of the show.

View some video clips on IMDS 2009:

• From Russia Today: Maritime exhibition opens in St. Petersburg
• From Daily Motion: Maritime show opens in St. Petersburg

View IMDS 2009 photographs from RIA Novosti and read more from Russia Today.

For more details on IMDS 2009, log on to Naval Show.

Post in MarineBuzz on this day a year before:

Weekend Tips: How to Convert a Ship Photograph into a Sketch

Update: June 30

View a video clip from Reuters Video: Russia shows off navy prowess

Prague Boat Show (Lode na Vode – Boats on the Water), the largest international boat and water sports show of Prague is ready to start.

Prague’s Rasinovo Wharf on the Vltava River is being transformed into a marina for the boat show.

The concept of the show is inspired by similar exhibitions in Genoa, Barcelona, Cannes, Helsinki, or Hamburg. The boat show is being held to encourage boating in the Czech Republic.

Some of the interesting features of Prague Boat Show are:

• To be held at: Prague, Rasinovo Wharf. 
• From April 16 to 19.
• Newest boats, sailboats, and motorized yachts can be tried out on the Vltava River.
• The Czech Association of Manufacturers and Merchants of Boats and Boat Accessories (APL) are hosting this new and unique retail boat, water sports and accessories show.
• Exhibitor List is here.
• Products on display are here.

For more details, log on to Prague Boat Show.

Log on to PPS-Paroplavba, to know more about sailing on the Vltava River, Prague.

View an interesting video clip: Prague River Cruise

The 14th China (Shanghai) International Boat Show – CIBS 2009 is ready to start. CIBS is the annual meeting point for recreational boating enthusiasts in Asia. China has over 300,000 US-dollar millionaires and is expected to become the largest market for luxury goods worldwide by 2012. During CIBS 2008, 177 boats were displayed and 90 out of them were luxury yachts.

CIBS

• is a member of the International Federation of Boat Show Organisers (IFBSO).
• is granted the Trade Fair Certification by the U.S.Department of Commerce.
• is audited by BPA Worldwide.

Some of the interesting features of CIBS 2009 are:

• To be held from April 16 to 19, 2009
• To be held at: Shanghai Exhibition Center (No. 1000, Yan’an Road Middle, Shanghai)
• Total exhibition area: 33,000 sq m
• Total number of exhibitors: 380
• On display: 190 yachts and boats
• Total number of visitors expected: 17,000
• Number of oversea visitors expected: 1,800
• Exhibits will be displayed in the following categories:
  • Boats and Luxury Yachts
  • Marina, Leisure and Services
  • Components and Equipment
  • Water Sports
  • Tourism
  • Lifestyle
• Exhibitor List as pdf is here.

View here an interesting video clip: China International Boat Show CIBS 2008.

For more information, log on to 14th China International Boat Show.

Post in MarineBuzz on this day a year before:

Follow the French: To Handle Somali Pirates

Connecticut Maritime Association is ready to host Shipping 2009. “Back to Basics” is the theme of North America’s premier International Shipping and Trade Conference during Shipping 2009. Also Captain Wei of COSCO will be this year’s recipient of the Commodore Award.

Some of the interesting features of Shipping 2009 are:

• The three-day conference is scheduled to start on March 23.
• To be held at Hilton Hotel, Stamford, Connecticut.
• Considered as the biggest annual shipping event in north America, attracting a global, blue chip audience of more than 2,000 people.
• The conference would also cover issues such as shipping safety, finance, risk management, legal developments and some of the issues to be discussed during the conference are:
  • State of the Industry
  • Special Pre-Markets Executive Briefing
  • Markets
  • Piracy & War Risks
  • Critical Challenges
  • Industry & Regulators Summit
  • Legal Session
  • Industry Innovation
• Conference to reflect the new approach of many owners, operators and brokers to ride out the economic downturn.

Read full conference program as pdf here.

For more details on Shipping 2009, log on to Shipping 2009 and Connecticut Maritime Association.

Posts in MarineBuzz on this day a year before:

10 Easy Ways to Sink a Ship

IMO Turns 50, Celebrates Golden Jubilee

Dubai International Boat Show (DIBS) and Dive Middle East Exhibition (DMEX) are ready to start. Both the events are going to be held at Dubai International Marine Club – Mina Seyahi from March 03 to 07.

Dubai International Boat Show (DIBS)

• the 17th edition of the event will showcase boats from both local and international builders together with the latest innovations in marine equipment, supplies and services.
• is the largest event of its kind in the region.
• exhibitor list is here.
• event schedule is here.
• organized by Dubai World Trade Center (DWTC).

Dive Middle East Exhibition (DMEX)

• the 3rd edition of the Dive Middle East Exhibition (DMEX) will be held alongside the DIBS.
• to offer the very latest in diving equipment, supplies, services and techniques.

View an interesting video clip of Dubai Boat Show 2008.

For more information, log on to Dubai International Boat Show and Dive Middle East Exhibition.

Posts in MarineBuzz on this day a year before:

Zebra Fish Helps Researchers of the University of Washington to Study Hearing Loss in Humans

Floating Binoculars for Seafarers

World’s Fastest Sail Ship Pallada is on World Tour

The 9th edition of the International Defence Exhibition & Conference (IDEX 2009) is ready to start at Abu Dhabi, UAE on February 22. IDEX 2009 is officially supported by the UAE Government and coordinated by the UAE Armed Forces. The American USS Gladiator, the British HMS Chiddingfold, the Capt Bettica from Italy and INS Sarvekshak hydrographic survey vessel from India are expected to be present during the event.

Some of the interesting features of IDEX 2009 are:

• to be inaugurated by UAE President and Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, H.H. Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
• one of the world’s largest exhibitions to showcase systems, equipment and services for all three defence environments, land, sea and air.
• to be held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition & Conference Centre (ADNEC).
• over 900 exhibitors representing over 70 countries are to participate.
• you can view equipment and systems aboard naval ships berthed at ADNEC Quay, just across a footbridge from the IDEX exhibition halls.
• you can watch dynamic demonstrations of amphibious capability, featuring marine personnel, craft and vehicles.
• more than 45,000 visitors worldwide are expected to attend.
• some of the marine related exhibits are
  • Anti-Mine Systems (Ground/Sea)
  • Coastal Defence System
  • Naval Vessels including Warships
  • Submarines
  • Undersea Defence Technology
  • Marine Communication
  • Maritime UAV
• to meet the needs of prospective buyers from the growing defence markets in the Middle East, Asia and Far East.
• the event is scheduled to conclude on February 26.

For more information, log on to IDEX, ADNEC and The National.

View an interesting video clip Patria AMV @ IDEX 2007.

Post in MarineBuzz on this day a year before:

Speedo Launches NASA Tested Worlds Fastest Swimsuit

The third edition of Samira Mumbai International Boat Show (SMIBS) 2009 is ready to start on February 19. 

Some of the interesting features of SMIBS 2009 are:

• To be held from February 19 to 22.
• Number of Exhibitors: 100 to 150. List is here.
• Exhibition Area: On Land – 20,000 square metres.
• Boat show events are:
  • VIP Preview Evening: on February 19
  • SMIBS Regatta
  • Press Conference
  • Networking Dinner: on February 20
  • other sponsored events and shows

• Conference: A one-day conference on February 20 is expected to be attended by over 200 delegates with key speakers from India and abroad on growth and prospects of the leisure boating industry.
• Visitor’s Profile
  • 5,000 of India’s High Net worth Individuals
  • 20,000 visitors over the duration of the show
  • 70% businessmen
  • 30% professionals
• On Ground Exhibition: to be held at Bandra Kurla Complex, Mumbai.

For more information, log on to Samira Mumbai International Boat Show – 2009.

Post in MarineBuzz on this day a year before:

Who Invented Sonar – A Controversy

Update: February 26

Here is the press release on behalf of Samira Mumbai International Boat Show.

Mumbai Boat Show closes on a high
Mumbai: The Samira Mumbai International Boat Show 2009 closed Sunday after 4 days with higher attendance than previous shows despite the uncertain economic climate. Organizers and exhibitors both expressed satisfaction with the numbers and quality of visitors.
The show also served as the platform for the official launch of the Indian National recreational boating industry trade association under ‘FICCI’, THE Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry.
“As organizers, we could not be happier. This confirms that the decision to go ahead with the show was a wise one. Canceling the show would have been just what the terrorists would have wanted,” said Daryl D’Silva from CMP, “We could not let that happen – this is the Indian never-say-die spirit at its very best.”
In the face of the challenges of the global economic crisis, the annual growth of the Indian economy is expected to slow down this year to 7% which by global standards is extraordinary.
Another challenge faced by the show was the November 26, 2008 terrorist attacks which threatened the show’s cancellation. Another ironic outcome of the attacks was the crystallization of the need for a single voice of the Indian marine industry.
As part of the show, the newly formed FICCI Boating Forum sponsored an industry conference ‘The Way Forward’ which brought together international marine experts to join government and industry leaders focusing on the future of the Indian recreational boating industry. FICCI also announced the formation of the FICCI Indian Boating Forum, the first national trade association to promote the industry as its unified voice.
As providing a significant endorsement for the future of the industry was the spectacular unveiling of Mahindra Odyssea’s new 22ft and 33ft fibreglass power boats being built specifically for the Indian market and for Indian sea conditions. Auto builder and market leader in multi-utility vehicles, the US$6.7 Billion Mahindra Group is among the top 10 industrial houses in India and a leader also in financial services, trade, retail and logistics, automotive components, after-market, information technology and infrastructure development.

Here is another press release on behalf of Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry.

FICCI Boating Forum signs up 60 members in 48 hours
Mumbai: Within 48 hours of its official launch, the new Indian National recreational boating industry trade association under ‘FICCI’, the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, the Forum signed up a total of 60 members.
The FICCI Boating Forum, the voice of Indian Boating, formed during the Samira Mumbai International Boat Show 2009, signed up 100% of the Indian boat dealers present at the show including Marine Solutions, West Coast Marine, Infinity Yachts, Navnit Marine, New Wave Distributors, Marine Crest and Ocean Blue.
Although most members are India-based businesses ranging from power boats to sailing yachts, PWC (Personal Watercraft) and kayaks to engine and ancillary products, services and infrastructure developers including some of India’s biggest names like Mahindra Odyssea, international companies with an interest in India have also signed up.
The objective of the Forum is to promote the Indian Boating industry nationally and internationally acting as its sole unified voice for marketing but most importantly, advocacy with Indian authorities as they cope with the special security challenges presented by the aftermath of the Mumbai terrorist attacks.
Most members agree that at the very time the Indian marine industry was set to take off, it faced simultaneously the twin challenges of the global economic crisis and local security threats.
The first task of the new association would be to identify the most important factors affecting the industry and then organize the industries response drawing on the input and expertise of all of its members.
In this spirit, the FICCI Boating Forum sponsored an industry conference ‘The Way Forward’ alongside the boat show which brought together international marine experts to join government and industry leaders focusing on the future.

For photographs and more information, log on to Giira Yachts.

Electric Ship Design Symposium 2009 (ESDS 2009) is ready to start on February 12. The Symposium is useful, if you are involved in design, engineering or construction of ships for military or commercial applications.

Some of the interesting features of ESDS 2009 are:

• The two days Symposium is scheduled at Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, National Harbor, MD.
• Jointly organized by the American Society of Naval Engineers (ASNE) and the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers (SNAME).
• The symposium will explore the opportunities that the electric ship will have on ship and fleet design of the future and identify key barriers and enablers to realize these opportunities.
  • “The State-of-Art of Integrated Electric Power and Propulsion Systems and Technologies on Ships” by internationally recognized authors Dr. Tim McCoy, Converteam and Dr. John Amy, BMT Syntek Technologies.
  • Expert Panel of Naval and Industry Leaders.
  • Expert Panel on Naval/Commercial Ship Development.
  • Keynote Address by Mr. Jukka Kuuskoski; Vice President Marine, ABB Finland.
  • Luncheon Address by Rear Admiral Thomas J. Eccles, USN; Chief Engineer, Naval Sea Systems Command.
  • Coverage of a wide range of subjects including: energy transportation, energy exploration, cruise lines, mega yachts, naval ships, career development, business case analysis, etc.

• Working Groups: Technical issues and opportunities will be explored in depth by five Working Groups.
  • Electric Machinery Systems–Professor Giorgio Sulligoi, University of Trieste and Dr. Zareh Soghomonian.
  • Mobility Systems–Chris Bassler, Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division.
  • System/Design Integration–Jason Strickland, Naval Sea Systems Command.
  • Ship/Ship Concepts–Adrian MacKenna, Naval Sea Systems Command.
  • Total-Ship Life-Cycle Considerations–Steve Morris, BMT D&P.
• All of the above technical information will be collated into the Symposium Proceedings that will be available to all attendees.

For more information, log on to ESDS 2009.

Post in MarineBuzz on this day a year before:

Spin and have a 360 Degree View of Singapore Marina at 165 Metres Height

Helsinki International Boat Show 2009 (HIBS 2009) is presently going on at Helsinki Exhibition & Convention Centre, Finland. The Boat Show is now being held for the 40th time. The boat show is aimed to attract everyone interested in boating and other hobbies related to the aquatic world, from seasoned veterans to absolute beginners.

HIBS 2009 is Finland’s largest boating industry event in terms of physical size and number of visitors.

Some of the interesting features of HIBS 2009 are:

• To be held from February 7 to 15.
• Expected to attract more than 90,000 visitors. Last year the show was attended by 89,188 visitors.
• To display a comprehensive variety of over 600 motorboats, yachts, wooden boats, canoes, boating, diving, electronic, fishing and other water sports equipment.
• About thirty sailboats will be exhibited, with several interesting new models being displayed for the first time in Finland.
• About 331 exhibitors, 11 more than participated at last year’s exhibition are to exhibit in some 24,200 square metres of exhibition floor space.
• An information desk is available for beginners in boating to give details on, for example, necessary permits, insurance, safety issues, berths, yacht club activities, the costs of boating, navigation courses and other available training.
• The show is being arranged by the Finnish Fair Corporation on behalf of the Finnish Marine Industries Federation Finnboat.

Here is a video clip of Helsinki International Boat Show 2007.

For more details, log on to Finnexpo.

Post in MarineBuzz on this day a year before:

Seafarers and Chinese New Year of Rat

The 5th Goa International Boat Show (GIBS 2009) is ready to start at Panaji, Goa, India from January 16-18. Along with this event, Marinex International Trade Show (MITS 2009) is also going to be held.

GIBS and MITS 2009 will showcase

• Boating, Water Sports and Leisure Activities
• Marine Accessories, Marine Services
• Marine Coatings, Adhesives, Sealants, Anti Fouling Agents and Boat Care Products
• Maritime Institutes
• Marine Electrical & Electronic Systems, Marine Equipment

For more details, log on to the organizers, Trinity Venture.

View Beach map of Goa from Goa Tourism.

Post in MarineBuzz on this day a year before:

Australian Kayakers Successfully Paddled Across the Tasman Sea

Update: January 18

Here are photographs covering GIBS 2009,  from Giira Yachts.

The 55th London International Boat Show (LIBS) 2009 is getting ready to start on January 09.

Some of the interesting features of LIBS 2009 are:

• to be held at ExCeL London, the international exhibition and conference centre.
• over 500 exhibitors are to showcase power and sail boats, dinghies, deck equipment, charter holidays, sailing courses and more.
• over 130,000 people are expected to attend.
• to conclude on January 18.
• view here a fully interactive Essential Guide to LIBS 2009.

You can view how LIBS 2009 is getting ready for display in real time through five webcams shown below. Click the image below to proceed with webcam view of LIBS 2009.

Log on to London International Boat Show 2009, for more details.

Post in MarineBuzz on this day a year before:

China Plans for Underwater Observation Station

Update: January 20

The Boat Show, which is the largest marine exhibition in London concluded on January 18. The Show hosted more than 500 exhibitors and showcased hundreds of boats, ranging from 1.4 metre sailing dinghies to 37 metre tri-deck motor yachts. Overall attendance at the Show was around 112,000, 12 percent below that of 2008, which is a fantastic result considering the challenging economic conditions. Read more from London Boat Show.