SKS Logistics Ltd. LAUNCHES CONTAINER MOVEMENT BETWEEN JNPT & MBPT:
Exim News Services Mumbai , Aug 1 The Shahi Containers, Transportation Division of SKS Logistics Ltd., in barge operations, successfully carried out its first transportation of RBI containers between the Jawaharlal Nehru Port (JNP) Mumbai Port on its vessel m.v Royal India on July 30. SKS Logistics Ltd. offers personalised services at the most economical freight rates for transport of import containers between JNPT and MBPT , and for export containers between MBPT and JNPT. SKS Logistics Ltd. has expressed gratitude to JNPT and Mumbai Customs for granting it the necessary permission for this service. SKS Logistics Ltd. firmly believes that Indian cargo should leave the shores for transshipment from other ports. To promote and fully utilise an Indian hub port, JNP, the Chairman/Managing Director, Mr. S.K. Shahi conceived the idea of promoting this service with m.v Royal India which has a dead weight tonnage (DWT) of 1,161, and capacity of 42 TEUs.

SKS Logistics Ltd. ADDS LARGE VESSEL TO ITS FLEET:
Mumbai June 10: SKS Logistics Ltd. launched M.V. Royal Amba A 60 Teu vessel between JNPT and MBPT. The first voyage was sucessfully completed on May 30, 2001. SKS Logistics Ltd. has been getting continous attention from almost all the liner agents from Mumbai Ahmedabad, Baroda JNPT and Kandla. Their other vessel M.V Royal India gained confidence from the India shipping trade by transporting 1500 Tenus with 48 voyages, M.V Royal India has a capacity of 36 Tenus. With growing demands for their feeder service there was immediate need to add bigger Tenus capacity vessel, which prompted SKS Logistics Ltd. to launche bigger vessel M.V Royal Amba. The bigger vessel has successfully transported more than 110 Tens with 2 voyages. The company is optimistic about both the vessels as it solves the purpose of carrying 36 Tenus on M.V Royal India and 60 Tenus on M.V Royal Amba . The company enjoys the monopoly status services between JNPT and MBPT and is highly reliable feeder services as well , discharging the containers in a short span of time . SKS Logistics Ltd. is all praises for JNPT and MBPT customs for their continuous support and prompt service and look for the same support in future also. SKS Logistics Ltd. also thanked the India Shipping trade for the support extended to their services.

SEAFARER'S UNION OPPOSE RELAXATION OF AGE NORMS FOR PURCHASE OF VESSELS:
The relaxation of age norms for purchase of ships was opposed by The National Union of Seafarers of India (NUSI). According to some ship owners, with the reason that maintaining rigid age norms prevents them from competing with big companies. While small ship owners cannot afford to buy new ships, those who can afford to buy new ships sail them beyond the stipulated age limits. NUSI will not allow its member-seamen to sail on ships, which are over 20 years old unless it is satisfied about their seaworthiness. The average life span of a ship is 25 years, but this varies with the type of vessel and how often it is sent for dry-docking. If age restriction is laid for purchase of ships, the same restriction should apply to prevent ships, which are newly brought but are used even after crossing 20 years of age.

TERMINAL HANDLING FEES REDUCED BY MBPT UPTO 30%:
To attract more container traffic, Mumbai Port Trust (MbPT) has proposed reducing the terminal handling charge (THC) by around 30 per cent Final notification on this issue will be introduce by the Tariff Authority for Major Ports (TAMP) in a month's time . To compensate for the cost of the new submarine pipeline between the marine oil terminal at Jawahar Dweep and the mainland, and the cost of modernization at the three oil jetties at the terminal, the port has asked TAMP to allow the port to increase the charges for using the wharf on POL (Petroleum, Oil & Lubricants) products by up to 40 per cent at the marine oil terminal. The proposal by MbPT to increase berth hire by 15 per cent on all vessels is pending before TAMP. MbPT says inspite of the changes , the charges will remain competitive as against charges levied by other ports.

SHIP IMPORT NORMS:
Shipping company need no prior technical clearance for import of ships and vessels below 25 years of age as per the latest government guidelines on import of all types of ships and vessels without license. This is a sequel to the Exim policy 1997-2002 as amended on March 31, 2001.

The vessels on arrival in India would be surveyed at time of registration by the principal officer, mercantile maritime department.