Kakinada Trade Meet
Kakinada Container Terminal (KCT) conducted a Trade Interaction Session at Hotel GRT Grand, Kakinada on the 25th of May 2017. It was intended to provide a platform for shippers, consignees, shipping lines, vessel operators, C&F Agents, Statutory bodies etc. to meet under one roof to brain storm the impediments being faced and discuss solutions to develop incrementing sustainable volumes at KCTPL.
Around 100 delegates attended the session. Exporters of Rice, Shrimp, Sugar, Ceramics, Toys. Importers of Recycled Paper, Cashew, Chemicals were represented. The shipping line delegates that attended included representatives from Singapore, Kolkata and Visakhapatnam. Members of statutory bodies also graced the occasion.
The meeting started with a Welcome address by Mr. M Suresh Kumar, President, Bothra Group. Mr. D Surya Narayana, President, Cocanada Chamber of Commerce made the key address. Director of KCT, Mr. M Muralidhar spoke briefly on the achievements of KCTPL FY 2016-17. This was followed by a presentation focused on advantages of KCTPL and its performance FY 2016-17 by Mr.P Balakrishnan, Head _ Marketing KCTPL. After this, key Liner and Feeder representatives took the stage while Mr. M Suresh Kumar initiated and moderated the interactions between the fraternities.
Mr. Antony Praveen of Parry Sugar was the first speaker during the interactions. While thanking the management of KCTPL he expressed their keen interest to increase their volumes and requested for support from various stake holders during the initial period of stabilization. Mr. Antony Lawrence representing MSC (and others after him) voiced similar sentiments. Others who spoke included Mr. Lian from Far Shipping, Singapore;Mr.Srinivasa of Pattabhi Agro, Mr. Aashish of Merilyn Shipping, Mr.Sravan of Sravan Shipping, Mr. Mehabub from RAK Ceramics, Mr. Sunil Kumar of Pals & Plush toys, Capt. Shiva Prasad of Blue Ocean, Capt. K Vijaygopal of Seaways Shipping, Mr. Pavan of Maersk Line, Capt. Bose of OEL, Mr. Choudhary of Apex Exports .
A statement made by Capt. K Vijaygopal subtly summed up the key outcome of the meeting when he said “Kakinada already has the cargo. We need to get to that critical mass to induce weekly services to cater to Reefer shipments, while converting imports to come through Kakinada.