46th AGM of Kerala Steamer Agents Association was held on 15th November 2024 at Taj Vivanta Marine Drive Cochin. KSAA President Varghese K George Chaired the Meeting, which was attended by the majority of members and all major stakeholders from allied firms related to EXIM trade.
Gurkaran Singh Bains, IRS, Hon.Commissioner of Customs was the chief guest of the evening. D.I.G N.Ravi, Hon.Commander, District 04, Indian Coast Guard, K.N Raghavan IRS, Secretary General Seafood Exporters Association of India were the other dignitaries who addressed the gathering.
Newly elected KSAA President Varghese K George in his presidential address stated about the action plan of KSAA in the upcoming years. He asserted the need to utilize Kerala’s coastal potential to enhance cargo movement and development of minor ports. He requested the shipping fraternity to come out with new services and ideas to utilise the vast potential in an economically viable mode. He also added that our association is nearing its 50th year of existence and excellence in 2028, during past years KSAA has been a vital part of the trade and worked towards the development of the EXIM trade
Addressing the gathering Gurkaran Singh Bains, IRS, Hon.Commissioner of Customs thanked KSAA for the unstinted support extended throughout these years. He also added that KSAA has been proactive and instrumental in taking up the concerns of the trade and Cochin Customs has been able to resolve most of the issues
Felicitating the audience, D.I.G N. Ravi, Hon.Commander, District 04, Indian Coast Guard elaborated on the services provided by the Indian Coast Guard to the mariners and the new technological advancements of the Coast Guard in their rescue operations, and sea monitoring. KSAA honoured him with a memento as an honour for his invaluable services rendered for ensuring the safety and security of life at sea.
K N Raghavan IRS shipping industry in his address to the gathering expressed his views on the wide range of opportunities in the EXIM trade. He added that Shipping is an industry dominated by Indians, a lubricant that keeps trade and industry moving. After 1990, the shipping industry flourished for two decades as a result of developments in global trade. After 2008, a series of events like the global economic downturn, the COVID-19 lockdown, and the Red Sea issue brought down the trade, but the Shipping trade has the resilience to get back to the boom. He also informed us that there is a wide opportunity for India to be the best in this industry as we are equipped with skilled labour and professionals in the trade. He congratulated the newly elected President and Vice President and also conveyed his best regards to the Steamer Agents Association on its remarkable journey towards 50 years.
KSAA Vice President Sijo George delivered the vote of thanks. Capt. T M Kumar Deputy Conservator, Cochin Port Authority, Shri. Francis J Veliyath, Harbour Master Cochin Port Authority, and other eminent personalities from Cochin Customs, immigration, Port Health Organisation, DP World, MMD, Vizhinjam Port etc. participated in the event.
The New Managing Committee of KSAA for the term 2024-2026 are:
- Varghese K George, President
- Sijo George, Vice President
- C S Kartha, Managing Committee Member
- Santhosh Kumar, Managing Committee Member
- Prakash Iyer, Managing Committee Member
- M Krishnakumar, Managing Committee Member
- Sajith Kumar, Managing Committee Member
- Binu K S, Managing Committee Member.
