KOCHI: Union Shipping Ministry secretary K Mohandas said that the Vallarpadam Container Transshipment Terminal would undergo a dynamic growth in the next few months. Though its commissioning will be a huge step forward, a number of hurdles still have to be overcome for the terminal to achieve its full potential.Speaking at the inauguration of the new Mercantile Marine Department building in Kochi on Saturday, he said that the development of terminal is crucial towards the economic progress of the country in general and the state in particular. Much of the business was now being lost to the neighbouring countries.Mohandas added there was a need to take a new look at our maritime laws and policies in the light of issues like piracy. Even the functions of bodies like the Mercantile Marine Department had undergone a huge change. Environmental and other similar issues are on the rise and they need to be addressed, he said. “A few years ago nobody talked about pollution in the high seas. But today it is a reality,” he said.
Comments
0 comment