'India International Maritime & Logistics Expo 2009' scheduled to be held from April 10-12 next year was formally launched on July 9, 2008 at the World Trade Centre, Mumbai by Mr A P V N Sarma, (IAS), Secretary, Ministry of Shipping, Road Transport & Highways, Government of India. It was announced that the three-day event would be organized by India Trade Promotion Organization, MVIRDC World Trade Centre, Mumbai and All India Association of Industries, and would be supported by Ministry of Shipping, Road Transport & Highways and Ministry of Commerce & Industry.
Addressing the occasion, Chief Guest Mr Sarma said, “It's a privilege to attend the curtain raiser of the IIMLE 2009 in Mumbai, the shipping capital of India. To match with the robust growth in the recent days, the logistics need to grow at a much faster rate. I am sure expos like this can encourage the national and international investors and players involved in this sector.”
He added that there are plans that by 2011-12, the capacity of the major ports, which are under direct control of the government, would be raised to 1,000 million tonnes per annum (approximately) from the existing 500 million tonnes. Similarly, the smaller ports which presently have annual turnovers of about 200 MTs, they would be raised to 500 MTs. But for that fast turnaround, we need to work hard. In Mumbai, we have JNPT, which is a world class port and Maharashtra too has many smaller ports of great potentials. The task ahead is to develop these ports in India and the government is committed to do it, he informed.
Inland transport system and manning are the two other areas that too need to be taken care of and the government is also open to seeking help of private sectors for the same. He also wished the India International Maritime & Logistics Expo 2009 all the success.
Earlier, Mr Vijay G Kalantri, President, All India Association of Industries, Director, World Trade Centres' Association (NY), Vice President, MVIRDC, World Trade Centre welcomed the guests, which was followed by lighting of the inaugural lamps by the Chief Guest and other dignitaries. Addressing the occasion, Ms Sheela Bhide, CMD, India Trade Promotion Organization said, “Infrastructure development is the need of the hour. The trade is growing 25% every year and to match that, infrastructure and logistics must be improved much faster. The quality of infrastructure decides a lot. About 95% of our total transportation is carried through sea by volume and 70% by value. Presently the pressure on ports is enormous and they are just managing to cope with that challenge. So the Government needs to pay a lot of emphasis on development of ports and sea transportation.”
Speaking about the expo, she said, “We seek cooperation of everyone to make the first ever India International Maritime & Logistics Expo a great success. We plan to have seminars and an award function (especially on ports and logistics) too along with the expo.”
Then she thanked the organizers and sponsors of the expo, MVIRDC World Trade Centre, Mumbai, ITPO and AIAI, Ministry of Shipping, Road Transport & Highways and Ministry of Commerce & Industry, along with the supporting organizations - Indian National Ship Owners' Association, Mumbai Nhava Sheva Ship Agents' Association, Federation of Freight Forwarders' Association of India, The Bombay Custom House Agents Association, Indian Coastal Conference, Indian Foreign Owners' Representatives and Ship Association, Indian Registrar of Shipping, Indian Ports' Association, Daily Shipping Times and Bhandarkar Shipping News for having agreed to extend all their cooperation and support to the IIMLE 2009.”
Among others, Special Guests of the occasion Mr Johny Joseph, Chief Secretary, Govt of Maharashtra, Ms Kiran Dhingra, Director General of Shipping, Mr Syed Shahzad Hussain, Chairman, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust, and Guests of Honour Mr Ramnath Jha, Principal Secretary, Transport, Excise & Ports, Mr AK Bal, Deputy Chairman, Mumbai Port Trust, Ms Maya Sinha, Deputy Chairperson, JNPT, Mr S Hajara, President, Indian Ship Owners' Association attended the launch ceremony. Mr Y R Warerkar, Executive Director, World Trade Centre Mumbai proposed the vote of thanks.

Steering Committee Meeting
Prior to the launch of India International Maritime & Logistics Expo 2009, a Steering Committee meeting on the same was held at Seminar Room, World Trade Centre, Mumbai on July 9, 2008. It was chaired by Ms Sheela Bhide, CMD, India Trade Promotion Organization, Transport Excise & Ports.
Some members suggested that states like Maharashtra, Gujarat and Goa which are more active in shipping industry must participate in the expo with more enthusiasm and vigour. The event must be accompanied by a seminar and an award function, some others felt. There were also different suggestions regarding the venue of the expo. Consultant (Marine) to Maharashtra Maritime Board, Commodore M K Banger, VSM (Retired) was of the opinion that it should be held at the Bandra-Kurla Complex, but others like Mr Vijay G Kalantri, President, Aii India Association of Industries, Director, World Trade Centres' Association (NY), Vice President, MVIRDC, World Trade Centre suggested that World Trade Centre would be a better venue.
Mr S Hajara, Chairman of Shipping Corporation of India and President, Indian Ship Owners' Association was of the opinion that different areas or floors of the venue be demarcated for different segments of the industry. He also suggested that the different maritime boards be asked be actively involved with the expo and the seminar as well.
But when asked by Ms Bhide if as the President of ISOA he could give a word about the number of participants in the expo from his association, Mr Hajara humbly replied that it would be bit too early to commit anything in concrete. He further supplemented that India being a major attraction for leading shipping nations of the world, there are at least five major conferences in a year these days. So the associations should be given some time before they commit anything.
He further added that the members must be motivated to involve the suppliers. About the marketing of the expo, he viewed that the associations can surely extend their moral support, but marketing part should be looked after by the Secretariat.
There were also suggestions by some members of the meeting that countries like Singapore or any European nation be made a partner for the event. The meet also discussed about the overseas promotion and publicity of the event and agreed that there is a need to set up different committees for different responsibilities to make the expo a grand success.
Chairperson Ms Bhide urged everyone associated with the industry to make the expo a grand success and cited the example of national Capital Delhi, which hosts successfully several international expos regularly. She summed up thanking everyone who participated in the steering committee meeting and seeking cooperation from all quarters of the industry for IIMLE 2009.