Prathap Kesari Deb, Minister for Industries, Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises, and Energy presided over as the chief guest of The Multimodal Logistics Summit held at Taj Vivanta in Bhubaneswar on December 01, 2023. Jointly organized by India Seatrade and the Federation of Indian Export Organizations (FIEO), the event drew together key stakeholders from the export-import trade, logistics service providers, ports, port associations, and representatives of shipping lines.
The Summit has set the stage for transformative initiatives that promise to elevate Odisha’s standing in the export-import trade, positioning the state as a key player in India’s logistics landscape.
Odisha’s Robust Industrial Policies and Future Outlook
PrathapKesari Deb, Minister for Industries, Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises, and Energy, highlighted the proactive approach of the Government of Odisha in supporting trade and industry. “The state has introduced 21 dynamic policies to facilitate business across the MSME sector and heavy industries. This built-in flexibility and adaptability allows for swift responses to changing business environments, reducing the time required to address external changes,” he said.
The minister also emphasized the abundance of land and water resources in Odisha, making it an ideal destination for industrial development. “With vast mineral reserves like coal, bauxite, chromite, nickel, manganese, and rare earth metals, Odisha is poised for significant growth in mother industries such as steel plants, aluminum plants, power plants, and chemical plants. This anticipated industrial development is expected to catalyze increased exports from Odisha within the next decade,” he said.
Air Cargo Infrastructure Boost at Biju Patnaik International Airport
Saswat Mishra, Principal Secretary of the MSME Department, Government of Odisha, announced a significant development for Biju Patnaik International Airport. A substantial fund of Rs. 1.7 crores has been allocated to AAICLAS, India’s largest air cargo terminal operator, for establishing essential international air cargo handling infrastructure. By the end of December 2023, the airport is set to be fully equipped to handle the export and import of air cargo from Odisha.
Mishra said, “Supported by the state government’s viability gap funding, three cargo flights are scheduled to operate between Odisha and key international hubs such as Dubai, Bangkok, and Singapore. This initiative aims to streamline air cargo logistics, reducing costs for the export-import community in the region.”
“Additionally, to address challenges in ocean-bound containerized cargo, the MSME Department has invited shipping lines through an Expression of Interest (EOI) in November. The goal is to establish feeder services from Odisha to major hubs like Port Klang, Singapore, and Colombo, thereby lowering transportation costs. A feeder service is anticipated to commence by February 2024,” Mishra added.
Paradip Port Authority’s Remarkable Progress
P.L. Haranadh, Chairman of the Paradip Port Authority, shared insights into the remarkable progress facilitated by the Sagarmala Project. The port’s capacity has surged from 800 million MT in 2014 to 1600 million MT presently, with a projected increase to 2500 million MT in the next three to four years.
Haranath said, “Thanks to these advancements, waiting times for vessels have significantly decreased, exemplified by the pre-berthing detention time at Paradip Port reducing to just 2 to 3 hours. Haranadh emphasized that their goal is for berths to wait for vessels, showcasing Paradip Port’s commitment to operational efficiency.”
“On the tariff front, Paradip Port has established itself as the most cost-effective option among all major ports in the country. Haranadh proudly noted that, following the transition from a port trust to a port authority in 2022, existing tariffs will be maintained until 2025,” he added.
A more detailed report on this Summit
India Seatrade will release a more detailed, session-wise report of the Multimodal Logistics Summit, Bhubaneswar shortly. Also, the suggestions and recommendations made by various speakers and delegates will be compiled and forwarded to the respective government departments in due course of time.
