Organisation

Eastern India has many firsts to its credit, like our Riverine Port of Kolkata, which is the first Major Port in the Country. No wonder Kolkata also witnessed the formation of the first ever organised Shipping Association of the modern day shipping in the Country.

In the early 70’s when ASIC was formed, it had all the desired support from the Port Management to make it a premier consultative forum to discuss the shipping & maritime issues at hand. In the later years, ASIC was included in the Board of Trustees successively for a considerable amount of time which saw many milestones, viz. dealing with Labour, Marine or Traffic issues. The yesteryears office bearers have worked hand in hand in pioneering the containerization of Kolkata Port amidst doubts, apprehension and excitement and ASIC is continuing to move forward with a vision which envisage nurturing a strong unity amongst its members, built on the foundation of common professional interests and uphold the very objectives of Association.

As Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port has celebrated its 150th year in 2020, ASIC too would be celebrating its Golden Jubilee in 2022, marking an eventful 50 years in Kolkata Shipping as the Nodal Body to associate the aspirations of the Shipping Fraternity in this region.

ASIC today is well acknowledged as the recognised voice of Shipping Lines, Vessel Operators and Agents established in Kolkata. With the interests of members as the focal point of all its activities, ASIC has been continuously evolving as a Nodal Body dedicated to championing the cause of its members and constantly interacts with concerned Ministries, Government departments, Port, Customs, Trade Bodies  and other Associations / Federations, and has established a strong presence in Eastern India’s shipping industry.

ASIC had immensely contributed towards rationalization of Terminal Handling Cost to end users till the time CCI was formed in 2008 and it was left to the scope of individual Shipping Carriers. ASIC key group has been part of the various marketing efforts initiated by KOPT Marketing Committee both in East India as well as in North India and continues to share suggestions and recommendation to uncomplicate the various documentation procedures and assisting the end users. ASIC also worked very closely with respective teams at Port during implementation of Port Community System (PCS). It also has various close group activity to create proper synergy between Trade, Customs and Port. Successful launch of ICEGATE is another such example.

ASIC is in constant deliberations with Kolkata Port and other Statutory Authorities to address all the issues of common concern, which enables it to keep all its members abreast of the latest developments in the industry on a regular basis, besides organizing Seminars, Lectures and interactive sessions for the members and the Shipping fraternity on topics of interest and changes in rules and procedures of Port and Customs.

For years, ASIC has played a consultative role with Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port to discuss on the various challenges, threats and issues that may affect the shipping trade at large in this region and to promote a healthier environment, besides imbibe proper synergy amongst Port, Customs and Stakeholders and promote Ease of Doing Business by assisting in reducing hard copy submission and adhere to a more system oriented working environment in a streamlined manner.

Connectivity with Nepal & Bhutan and multimodal logistics opportunity with Bangladesh has brought back the desired attention of both domestic and EXIM parcels via Inland Waterways and Protocol route. Both demand of essential and infrastructure related traffic is bound to increase due to the burgeoning size of population in the region, which needs to be tapped, making our Port facility cost effective and user friendly. The digitization drive and PPP is one of them but cargo handling cost needs to be rationalized for the Port to remain in the forefront in days to come.

While Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port is gearing up for providing more efficient and cost effective services to its Users, its all round efforts to attract more traffic is gaining attention from all quarters, and we can proudly say that our Port, which is the Gateway to Nepal, Bhutan and the hinterlands, is now in the limelight of Government of India’s Look East and Policy to promote Coastal Shipping by utilizing the locational advantage of the Port.

It has always been ASIC’s endeavour to work in tandem with Port to promote growth of shipping at Kolkata and Haldia. The Association has hands on information on the operational efficiencies and the existence of close and constructive interactions between the Port and ASIC have assisted in the Port’s expansion projects, infrastructure upgradation, logistics support, handling equipments, system enhancement, attending to EXIM Trade issues faced on a day to day basis, etc., thus helping in the rapid development of the Port and handle more EXIM cargoes with least constraints, amidst constant challenges faced by a Riverine Port.

While Association of Shipping Interests in Calcutta will continue in its efforts to interact with Port and other Statutory Bodies, besides organizing Seminars, Workshops / Training programs, with the changing dynamics in the shipping and logistics industry, vis-à-vis all round commercial activities, ASIC and Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port are in seamless touch with each other and working hand in hand for further development and betterment of the twin Ports of Kolkata and Haldia, its Users and Trade at large.