Cargo traffic hit by slowdown, grows just over 2%

Cargo traffic growth at the country’s top 12 state-owned ports nosedived in the last fiscal, registering just 2.13 per cent increase, with the global economic meltdown casting its shadow on maritime trade
The 12 ports, including Kolkata (with Haldia), Paradip, Visakhapatanam, Ennore, Chennai, Tuticorin, Cochin, New Mangalore, Mormugao, Mumbai, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust and Kandla, handled 530.35 million tonnes (MT) of cargo in 2008-09, an official in the Ministry of Shipping said.
In the previous fiscal, it was 519.15 MT. “The global economic slowdown had cast its shadow over our ports and had a direct impact on container traffic,” the official said.
In fiscal 2007-08, cargo traffic growth was at 11.94 per cent at 519.15 MT over 463.78 MT in 2006-07.
“The growth rate in earlier years had been impressive and in fact the trend was maintained in the first half of the fiscal. But being a part of the global chain we cannot escape from the slowdown impact,” the official added.
From 344.79 MT handled in 2003-04, the cargo volumes grew 50.58 per cent in 2007-08 at 519.15 MT.
The official said in terms of tonnage container traffic was one of the worst-hit by the economic slowdown growing by just 0.9 per cent.
Mumbai and Kolkata including Haldia were worst-hit during the fiscal recording a steep decline of 9.05 per cent and 5.72 per cent in traffic handling compared to the previous fiscal.
Cochin saw a decline of 3.68 per cent whereas two other ports Visakahpatnam and Ennore saw traffic dwindling by 1.07 per cent and 0.54 per cent.
Major ports’ capacity too remained affected and could increase marginally to 555.67 MT in financial year 2008-09, amid shrinking maritime trade in the wake of the global economic slowdown.
The government could add only a total of 25 MT to the existing capacities of 12 major ports during the last fiscal. The overall capacity of the major ports was recorded at 532 MT as on March 31, 2008.
The ports also failed to achieve the target fixed for 2008-09, as per the National Maritime Development Programme (NMDP). The NMDP had fixed a target of capacity increase to 573.5 MT for fiscal year 2009. Going by that account the achievement on capacity increase front fell short by nearly 19 MT.

Cochin and India on the Maritime Map

India on the Maritime Map India is booming and its population is gradually catching on to the marine lifestyle. At a rate of growth of 9.4% per annum, India's economy has now swelled to a trillion dollars, making it only the 12th nation to reach this milestone. Statistics show that the luxury goods market in India is growing at 30-32% pa. Today’s affluent Indian consumer is going overboard in his urge to splurge. Stats & Facts: * In 2007, there were an estimated 120,000 Indians with assets over US$ 1 million. * 13,000 new Indian US$ millionaires were added in the past year alone - a 15% p.a. increase over the previous year. * With a population in excess of 12 million, Mumbai is said to have more millionaires per square mile than Manhattan. For marine businesses, India is looking more like a potential boating hub every year. Mumbai is known as the ‘Gateway to India’ and its commercial and business epicentre. Mumbai has a natural harbour with miles of sheltered coastline with great places to sail to. The city houses the diamond, finance, IT and film industries – Bollywood is the world’s largest film producing centre. India, Mumbai particularly, has a strong boating heritage with the third oldest yacht club in the world, the Royal Bombay Yacht Club, set up in 1846. Yet, the first marina development is only just underway – the Bolgatty Island marina in Cochin, Kerala. Awarded through a global bidding process undertaken by KITCO the project was won by Gulf Marinas, a leading marina manufacturer based in Sharjah whose Indian partners are Ocean Blue Marinas. Kochi (known in Colonial times as Cochin) is situated on the south-west coast of the Indian peninsula in the scenic and prosperous state of Kerala. Its strategic importance over the centuries gave shelter to Arabs, British, Chinese, Dutch, and Portuguese sailors, all of whom have left indelible marks on the region’s development. Kochi has emerged as the commercial and industrial force and is perhaps the second most important city on the west coast of India (after Mumbai/Bombay). It boasts a world class port and international airport that link it to many major cities worldwide. The entire 900km length of the Kerala coast is lined with sandy beaches, rocky promontories and coconut palms that definitely merit a visit in every tourist itinerary. Touring the beach sites of Kovalam can make any beach holiday a delightful one, as Kerala's beaches are renowned for the gentle surf and blue waters. Kochi has a buzzing shipyard, so in addition to bringing tourists to the region, the marina will provide job opportunities to hundreds of workmen in repairing boats and communication equipment. Only last weekend Koci was the stop-over point for the high profile round the world powerboat race Earthrace, now heading for Europe, aiming to break a decade old round the world record. With the city already playing host to the Volvo Ocean Race in 2008, major investment in a deep draft marine is required the government is sure the country’s first marina will attract significant global maritime attention. On 1 March, the chief minister laid the foundation stone for Bolgatty Island. The Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC) Chairman, Cheriyan Philip, announced the marina, situated between Marine Drive and Bolgatty Island, will have facilities for 50 yachts, a Marina House with all modern facilities, a Marina Museum and recreation and convention centres. A golf course would eventually be developed adjoining it. The total cost is Rs 8 crore (Rupees 80 million or AUD$2 million). Around Rs 4 million is from central assistance and the remaining is from the state government and loans. The first phase will be completed this year and the second phase within two years. 'So far, for many years, India has missed the boat, so to speak,' Howard Moon, an Australian yacht owner, was quoted as saying. 'Many yachts go to Sri Lanka because there is a small marina there. The Maldives has marinas. Malaysia, Thailand and every other country that I know has marinas. So, it is high time that India had a Marina.' At present the cruising yachts need to berth their vessels in the backwaters and reach the shore in inflatable boats. Seafarers from all over the world have visited the area and relied on the Bolgatty Palace Hotel for food, swimming and other needs. It is estimated that cruising yachties generally spend an average of two weeks in Kochi, sight seeing, relaxing and carrying out necessary maintenance and the marina will make repairs and maintenance much easier. The Marina will occupy five acres of land owned by the KTDC near the Bolgatty Palace Hotel. Supporting facilities like petrol stations, a restaurant, health club and car parking are likely to be built on land reclaimed from the backwaters. Sailors – local and international – are said to be ecstatic over the project. www.incredibleindia.org

Lulu mall -cochin

A leisurely saunter through the Lulu Cochin Mall will take you away from the hustle and bustle of your daily schedules. The Mall allows shoppers to meander through the specialty stores, linger in a cafe, or meet friends to escape and rejuvenate. With its unique architecture, international class services and facilities, and a delightful customer friendly approach the Lulu Shopping Mall is sure to usher in a unique philosophy and a new shopping culture in Kochi. Located in one of the prime locations at the meeting point of three key Highways,NH47, NH17, and the Kochi by-pass the Mall is going to be landmark for the state of Kerala and its people. Designed to be a premier lifestyle center in Cochin, Lulu Mall will become the destination for the latest in retail and dining experiences.
Lulu Shopping Mall is going to be more than just a shopping centre. It is planned as a destination where visitor will experience the well known LULU values of guaranteeing world class quality at never before prices. More then 240 renowned outlets including food courts, restaurants, family entertainment zones and a 7 screen Multiplex will all come together to make Lulu Shopping. Mall a nerve centre of the city of Kochi. Any business that wants to be seen as part of the future of retailing will want to do business from the Lulu Shopping Mall.
No competition in size….no comparison in its facilities no limits to business opportunities
Lulu shopping mall with a basement and G-3 configurations is spread over 15 lakh square feet.
Located at Edappally, Kochi in an area of 16.5 acres, the LULU complex will also house of a five star hotel of 250 rooms.
With an outlay of 8 billion INR, LULU International Shopping Mall is the first of its kind shopping and leisure venue which will have no comparisons and will offer unlimited business opportunities.

Commercial Complex at Kakkanad, Kochi

Government of Kerala vide GO No. GO(Rt) No. 4892003/PWD dated 29/05/2003 has allowed RBDCK to utilize the above land of about one acre at the junction of Airport – Seaport Road and Kakkanad Ernakulam Road near Ernakulam Collectorate for improving the junction by providing utilities like traffic control room, rest room, shopping kiosks etc.The Chief Architect of Government of Kerala has approved the plan of a high rise 16 storied tower building with the following floor plans.Sq mtBasement Floor717Ground Floor & M.Floor1763First Floor927Second Floor927Third Floor413Fourth to Sixteenth Floor5369Total :10,116The building is going to be located at a strategic location and the plan is for a high rise modern tower building using all modern techniques with four lifts we expect that it will be a land mark building of Cochin. Due to its proximity to the Smart City and the centers of major players in the IT field we expect to lease the building to premium clients.RBDCK is proposing to undertake this project either on Joint Venture or on BOLT method.