nvkhkhr
Prime VIP
Mumbai: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said yesterday that in the context of India's growing trade and increasing energy demand and dependence on global energy markets, there was an urgent need to further develop the national fleet.
Speaking at the golden jubilee celebration of the state-owned Shipping Corporation of India (SCI), Singh exhorted the Indian shipping companies to pursue their growth plans in the right earnest and in tune with the global economic environment.
"Indian seafarers have played an important role in India gaining recognition as a maritime country. Today, seafarers from India are highly sought-after by shipping companies the world over for their skill and diligence," Singh said. He asked the maritime industry to invest in attracting more talent to the industry and also upgrading the available talent.
Calling for increasing Indian control over its maritime activity to ensure safety and security in the seas, he said: "Any industry can thrive only in an atmosphere of safety and security."Piracy menace
Singh said recent incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships were a cause of concern to all and to the shipping industry in particular.
"Our Navy, Coast Guard and shipping companies are putting up a concerted effort in close coordination with other international agencies to deal with this menace," he said.
Meanwhile, the Indian Navy is actively looking for military helicopters to succeed its present fleet of Seaking and Kamov, a senior naval officer said yesterday.
Speaking in Panaji, flag officer commanding Goa area (FOCGA) Rear Admiral Sudhir Pillai said the hunt for newer crafts was on while the Seaking, which are anti-submarine and troop-carrying helicopters, and Kamov or Ka-31, were being upgraded. "We are actively scouting for a worthy successor to the doughty Seakings and Kamov helicopters," Pillai said.
He underlined the importance of maritime reconnaissance (MR) when it came to maintaining surveillance along the Indian coastline.
— With inputs from IANS
Speaking at the golden jubilee celebration of the state-owned Shipping Corporation of India (SCI), Singh exhorted the Indian shipping companies to pursue their growth plans in the right earnest and in tune with the global economic environment.
"Indian seafarers have played an important role in India gaining recognition as a maritime country. Today, seafarers from India are highly sought-after by shipping companies the world over for their skill and diligence," Singh said. He asked the maritime industry to invest in attracting more talent to the industry and also upgrading the available talent.
Calling for increasing Indian control over its maritime activity to ensure safety and security in the seas, he said: "Any industry can thrive only in an atmosphere of safety and security."Piracy menace
Singh said recent incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships were a cause of concern to all and to the shipping industry in particular.
"Our Navy, Coast Guard and shipping companies are putting up a concerted effort in close coordination with other international agencies to deal with this menace," he said.
Meanwhile, the Indian Navy is actively looking for military helicopters to succeed its present fleet of Seaking and Kamov, a senior naval officer said yesterday.
Speaking in Panaji, flag officer commanding Goa area (FOCGA) Rear Admiral Sudhir Pillai said the hunt for newer crafts was on while the Seaking, which are anti-submarine and troop-carrying helicopters, and Kamov or Ka-31, were being upgraded. "We are actively scouting for a worthy successor to the doughty Seakings and Kamov helicopters," Pillai said.
He underlined the importance of maritime reconnaissance (MR) when it came to maintaining surveillance along the Indian coastline.
— With inputs from IANS
