Visit KochiNow

This blog compliments the new initiative KochiNow. We look forward to more activities.

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



by Jeni Bone
Marine Business News.com

Cochin Shipyard builds history

By Sudha S Namboothiry
The Cochin Shipyard Ltd., the largest Greenfield shipyard in the country made history when five platform supply vessels were floated on June 2, 2008 at Cochin simultaneously. The ships launched were the seventh in a series of eight ships under construction for Deep Sea Supply, Norway, two out of 4 ships for M/s Hellespont Steamship corporation, Greece and M/s Tidewater Marine International Inc, USA. Cochin shipyard is one of the leading shipbuilding & repair yard in India, which has an infrastructure that combines economy, scale, and flexibility, and has ISO 9001 accreditation.

The yard is also constructing 20 similar ships for European/American clients valued at over Rs. 2000 crore. These projects are being undertaken exclusive of the Air Defence Ship for the Indian Navy which is also presently under construction. Cochin Shipyard’s proposal for creation of Small Ship Division has been approved by the Government. The project is expected to be completed by March 2009. On completion these facilities would help the shipyard to undertake concurrent construction of small commercial ships with the Aircraft carrier.

The attitude is well expressed in the message of the Shipyard Chairman & Managing Director Commodore Shri M.Jitendran, “Ours is an endeavor to emerge as an internationally competitive yard and facilitate the emergence of India as a dominant ship building and ship repair centre of the region. Cochin Shipyard promises quality service, outstanding workmanship, timely delivery, reliable personnel and excellent coordination that does not leave you feeling at sea ...” True to the message, the Shipyard is moving ahead in leaps and bounds to achieve its goal.

It has been a saga of records for the Shipyard since the past five years. Like a phoenix the Shipyard has arisen from its not-so-good times to a profit making company. The total turnover of the company has increased threefolds ie, from Rs.235 crore in 2002-03 to Rs.720 crore in the year 2006-07. Record ship building turnover of Rs.478 crore was achieved in the year 2006-07.

This achievement was again surpassed in 2007-08 with the shipbuilding income reaching Rs 600 crore(provisional). The performance of ship repair department has also been commendable and the Ship repair turnover crossed Rs. 240 crore mark in the year 2007-08. The net profit of the company registered a three fold increase in 2006-07 ie., from Rs. 18 crore in 2005-06 to Rs. 58 crore in 2006-07. The financial performance in the year 2007-08 is expected to surpass all previous records.

Cochin Shipyard was incorporated in the year 1972 as a fully owned Government company. In the last three decades the company has emerged as a forerunner in the Indian Shipbuilding & Shiprepair Industry. This yard can build and repair the largest vessels in India. It can build ships upto 1,10,000 DWT and repair ships upto 1,25,000 DWT.

The yard has many a feather on its hat like it has delivered two of India’s largest double hull Aframax tankers each of 95,000 DWT , has built various types of vessels including Tankers, Bulk Carriers, Port Crafts, Passenger Vessels etc. CSL has secured shipbuilding orders from internationally renowned companies from Europe & Middle East.

Shipyard commenced ship repair operations in the year 1982 and has undertaken repairs of all types of ships including upgradation of ships of oil exploration industry as well as periodical lay up repairs and life extension of ships of Navy, UTL, Coast Guard, Fisheries and Port Trust besides merchant ships of SCI & ONGC.

The yard has, over the years, developed adequate capabilities to handle complex and sophisticated repair jobs. It is ISO 9001-2000 certified for Design and manufacture of small & medium crafts upto 900 GRT , construction of ships upto 1,10,000 DWT, Repair of ships upto 1,25,000 DWT, Training of marine engineers & conducting of fire fighting courses. The Shipyard also trains graduate engineers to marine engineers who later join ships both Indian and foreign as 5th Engineers.

Sudha S Namboothiry is a Media & Communications Officer of PIB, Cochin
Commodity Online

Earthrace arrives in Cochin(Kochi) from Singapore for a re-fuelling

>
Photo Courtesy US Department of Energy Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Shown here in Cochin, India
Credit: Lance Wordsworth/Earthrace

Earthrace, a 100 per cent bio-diesel powered boat on its quest to break the world record for the circum navigation of the earth, today called at the Cochin Port for repair and refuelling purposes
Bio-Fuels ForumPress Trust Of India
Kochi, June 14, 2008
First Published: 22:19 IST(14/6/2008)
Last Updated: 22:27 IST(14/6/2008
Earthrace, the Ecoboat, which is attempting to break the round-the-world speed record, arrived in Kochi for a re-fuelling.

The Earthrace, is a '78 feet wave piercing trimaran', a sailing boat like a catamaran but with three hulls, which runs exclusively on bio diesel and has net zero carbon footprints, thus making it one of the world's most environmentally friendly powerboats.

Pete Bethune, the captain, told reporters that the boat had covered about 19,300 nautical miles after it started off on its journey from Spain in April. The vessel arrived in Kochi from Singapore.

There are four crew members. While Paul alighted here, a new member David Howard joined the boat from Kochi. After nearly an hour, it left.

Bethune underwent liposuction to donate his own fat to be processed into biofuel. "The aim is to show to the world that the best technology can also be sustainable', he said.

Bethune auctioned off his home to fund the 1.5 million pound project.

Earthrace is attempting to break the world record set by Cable and Wireless in 1998.

Hindstan Times
Earthrace eco-boat aims for fastest refuelling
Friday, 13 June 2008, 10:26 am
Press Release: Earthrace

Earthrace eco-boat aims for fastest refuelling of world record attempt in India

London/Cochin (Kochi), 12 June 2008:

Earthrace, the world’s fastest eco-boat, is expected to arrive at Cochin Port on Saturday 14 June, for the tenth port stop of its world record attempt.

The boat, which is currently 1,700 miles ahead of the current world record holder, is currently battling Monsoon weather and 3m waves off the coast of Sri Lanka, and has reduced her speed to 16kn as a precaution against stressing the boat’s superstructure following major repairs in Singapore.

The crew are hoping for the fastest port stop in the race, aiming for a rapid 90 minute turnaround with the help of local supporters.

Earthrace is a 24m tri-hull wavepiercer that runs on biofuel and is on day 46 of its attempt to break the world record for a powerboat to circumnavigate the globe. The boat is currently 1,700 miles ahead of the world record pace, set by the British Cable and Wireless team in 1998.

The boat had sustained damage after hitting sea debris on departure from Palau and had to have its drive shaft and propeller replaced in Singapore. Although the crew remained ahead of the world record time, they lost about 1,500 miles from their lead. The speedy turnaround in Cochin will help the crew to claw back valuable time which was lost during these essential repair works.

The crew has relied on the generosity of a number of local companies that have stepped forward to help Earthrace have the fastest port stop in the race – a record within a record! The Cochin Port Trust, GAC Shipping Agents, Incredible India Tourism and Michaels Land Resort have all played a vital role in boosting Earthrace’s chances of smashing the world record.

“We’ve been overwhelmed by the local support here in India,” said Skipper Pete Bethune. “If we manage to refuel the boat, stock up on provisions and get on our way again within the 90 minute target we’ll claw back some vital lost time.

“

We’re proud to be stopping in Cochin, as they have a strong connection to one of the greatest figures in nautical history. Vasco da Gama was the first person to ever circumnavigate the globe, and he died and was buried here in Cochin. We’re following in his footsteps over five centuries later, but with a couple of engines and a lot more horsepower!”

When Earthrace leaves Cochin it will head to Salalah, Oman, with British Guest Crew, David Howard, joining the team. Keep up-to-date with Earthrace’s progress via the live satellite tracker at www.earthrace.net

- ends -

Scoop.co.nz

The COCHIN Tapestry A Chronicle of a Cultural Melting Pot, A Cosmopolitan City and a Great Trading Centre.

By K Kunhikrishnan


Cochin, described as the Queen of the Arabian Sea, was an important trading centre. Travellers and tradesmen of ancient times make copious reference to Cochin. Successive waves of migration over thousands of years made Cochin a cultural melting pot, a cosmopolitan city and a great trading centre.

The first European settlement in India was at Fort Cochin by the Portuguese, followed by the Dutch and finally the British. It was during the British rule, in 1857 (when the rest of the country was convulsed by the uprising against their rule), that three like–minded British businessmen set up the Cochin Chamber of Commerce to safeguard their trading and commercial interests.

It grew into a vibrant institution and later got involved in issues that had a bearing on national economic policy, as revealed in the commemorative volume of the Cochin Chamber of Commerce and Industry, A Journey Through Time — 1857-2007.

Compiled and edited by P Sethuram, M K Das and V N Venugopal, the book is in three parts. The first traces the history of the Chamber and the history and development of trade in Cochin. In the early days the role of the Chamber was mostly concerned with cargo export and import from the harbour. The history of the Chamber was entwined with that of the harbour. Legitimate business interests were the guiding principles of the Chamber, which became a member of the Madras Chamber of Commerce in 1920.

Since independence, the Chamber has been mainly interested in the principal export trade of the region like cashew, spices, marine products etc. and the plantation industry and in the common welfare of Cochin as an economic centre. Many stalwarts occupied positions of importance in transforming the Chamber into a dynamic forward-looking voluntary organisation. Each milestone of growth has been captured in the volume. The most informative part of the volume is the one dealing with Kerala’s economic history. which is unique. The welcome given to foreign traders was more an act of potential business, besides possible political and military help (p 158), thus negating the catholicism of the then rulers of Kerala.

It was the reciprocity of interests that got the better of any other consideration. The spinoff was cultural symbiosis. Though encomiums are paid in full to social development and land reforms, the moot point is whether the state has enhanced the productive sectors of the economy. The profile of trade unions and their godfathers spoiled the image of the state, which is still a land of hartals. The industrial policies were so heavily tilted in favour of labour that investors were apprehensive of a raw deal (190). Fiscal deficit is on the increase. Non-resident Keralites who work abroad are 1. 84 million and major numbers have moved only because of the lack of employment in the state. “Kerala crawls like the proverbial tortoise while the rest of the states run like the proverbial hare,” observes the author while analysing its problems with development policies. The maladies and stagnation of Kerala’s development have been analysed with a fine toothcomb, with deep insight and perception.

Kerala’s cultural heritage forms the final part of the volume. The resurgence of artistic forms during the last decade and the establishment of many institutions to promote them are positive factors. The literary history of Malayalam has been summed up and the names of legendary personalities mentioned. There are descriptions of the many art forms practised in various parts of Kerala. The social milieu deals with the caste and religion. The cultural tapestry chapter should have been part of the art forms. Among the illustrations, the colour photograph on theyyam is described as thira! The absence of an index is conspicuous in the otherwise laudable volume.

Kunhikrishnan is a former deputy director general of Doordarshan.
e-mail: kkunhikrishnan@gmail.com
The New Indian Express

TajSATS,(joint venture between Indian Hotels Company and Singapore Airport Terminal Services ) looking at tier II cities including Cochin

TajSATS to set up 15 kitchens at Rs 400 cr
14 Jun, 2008, 0007 hrs IST,Shruti Jain Ambavat, ET Bureau

MUMBAI: TajSATS, a leading air catering service company, has embarked on an expansion plan to set up 15 kitchens in five years. The joint venture between Indian Hotels Company and Singapore Airport Terminal Services will pump in close to Rs 400 crore to finance the entire exercise.

Sunil Taneja, Marketing and Business Development director, TajSATS, said the decision followed the recent spurt in air catering business. “The air catering business grew 20% last year, riding on a 30% growth in passenger traffic,” he said.

The company has recently set up kitchens in Goa, Bangalore and Amritsar. It may be looking at tier II cities like Nagpur, Guwahati, Cochin, Amritsar, Calicut and Pune where the existing airports are being upgraded. TajSATS generates revenues of around Rs 300 crore, which is nearly half of the total industry’s figures. Other players in this space include Oberoi, Ambassador and Skygourmet.

Mr Taneja said the expansion plan will be funded internally. “We know that the margin is under pressure, but our overall business is expanding in India. We think that we will be the first choice if we have operations in tier II cities,” he added.
Economictimes.indiatimes.com

(CPPR) Center for Public Policy Research & (CSS) Center for Civil Society do study on Cochin Corporation and its Informal Sector License issuing

Revealing the informal

The informal sector in Kerala is regulated by bureaucratic high-handedness. Various flaws exist in licensing of occupations like, auto-rickshaw driving, slaughtering, cobbling etc. Ironically, this state is pro-poor and is known for trade unionism..
THE LAST time I was in Cochin, I didn’t pay much attention to the auto-rickshaws plying on the city’s busy streets. They were just my sole means of conveyance. But on my next trip, I will. And you wonder why such a change in attitude! All credit goes to the law, liberty and livelihood project, a study conducted by think-tanks of the centre for public policy research (CPPR) and the centre for civil society (CCS).


The study, which was aimed at documenting the livelihood regulations and entry level barriers in the informal sector, was conducted in 63 cities across India with the help of young interns.


In Cochin, it was coordinated by the CPPR staffer Caroline C. The purpose aimed at unveiling the laws applicable to entry-level professions like cycle-rickshaw pullers, mobile and stationery street vendors and to document them with the effort to create public attention to issues faced by them. The study is funded by the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust (SDTT), Mumbai.


There, the licencing of trades is regulated by the Corporation of Cochin under the purview of the Kerala municipalities Act and Rules 1994. The Corporation issues two types of licences; namely, dangerous and offensive trade licences, and prevention of food adulteration licence.


The fees for the same are fixed by the council. On a general platform, any one wishing to carry a trade on Cochin’s streets has to obtain prior permission from the municipality/corporation as per the Act and the trade must be registered 30 days before its commencement.


The same general application form is used for all trades, except an additional one for the prevention of food adulteration Act 1954 (PFA) for food trades. The following documents are required for a licence: Receipt of the building tax and an ownership certificate (proof of legal occupancy). If the shop is in rented premises, the applicant will have to submit a consent letter from the owner.


After the assessment of the application form, the concerned authorities will inspect the premises and if deemed fit, the licence is granted. The licence has to be renewed 30 days before the end of the financial year (March 31), after which a fine is imposed for late renewal.


An interesting fact was brought to light through the study: Small food courts, mobile vegetable vendors and cobblers in Cochin are not issued licences and the corporation considers them illegal.


The municipal secretaries and health officers are the concerned authority on health issues and food inspectors from the urban local bodies, on government notifications, collect samples of all food meant for sale and send them to Government Analysts. If any article is found adulterated, the persons concerned are prosecuted and fined under the provisions of the PFA.


And, in case, you happen to be a late eater, it’s wise that you grab your manna (eatables) early as it is mandatory that all shops close at 10pm. In the case of slaughter houses, the Corporation directly owns them and private ownership is not permitted. Nevertheless, tenders are invited from the general public to run them and butchering licences are issued for the same. No other person can slaughter any cattle, sheep, goat or pig for sale as food.


Moreover, no person is allowed to carry on the trade of a butcher, fishmonger or poulterer without a licence from the municipality. Cleanliness and health precautions are one of the main priorities of the corporation.


According to a tender issued, the slaughter rooms have to be cleaned at least twice a day. Each animal has to be certified by a veterinary surgeon or health officer, only after which it can be slaughtered.


Other than this, several other directions are issued by the Corporation for the smooth running of slaughterhouses. One such is the rule that large amounts of fresh water should be kept at the slaughter house at all times and that lungs and other animal wastes have to be disposed off within hours of the slaughtering.


Injured individuals, drunks, and persons having communicable diseases are not allowed in the slaughterhouse and, interestingly, if a dog is found in the premises, the owner is free to kill it without prior notice. The slaughterhouse can function only from 10am to 12am.


For auto-rickshaws, there are two types of permits: Regular city permits and prepaid city permits. Currently, the regional transport office (RTO), Cochin, which is the regulatory board, is not issuing the former, but only issues prepaid permits and renews those already given. The regional transport board has fixed a quota of rupees 3,600 for city permits.


Although, this was done to avoid overcrowding, it is actually causing a shortage of auto-rickshaws in the area. It, nevertheless, allows out-of-city permits in accordance with the provisions of sections 69, 73 and 80 of the motor vehicle Act of 1988.


To drive an auto-rickshaw, a person must submit an application form and submit the following requisites: Proofs of owned vehicle in the name of the applicant and address.. The applicant should be a permanent resident of the Cochin Corporation area. The issued permits allow the driver to take passengers only from areas within the permit and anyone found driving in the city without a permit will be fined a minimum of rupees 500.

As studies reveal, over 90 per cent of India’s work force earns its livelihood in the informal sector, which accounts for 63 per cent of the country’s GDP. As citizens of India, it’s high time we knew how things function in our country.


Gone are the days of oblivion and ignorance. Keeping this in mind, the project aimed at informing the public about the functioning of these trades and related aspects. With available documents relating to legal and governing factors, and with, the power of the Right to Information Act (RTI), the interns dug out details that would otherwise have been not known.
Merinews.com Power to the people

Cochin City launches Green Cover Project to maintain its Natural Beauty and Environment Friendly Atmosphere

GREEN DRIVE: Forest Minister Benoy Viswom (in the background) applauds as Simon Britto, MLA, plants a sapling at Maharaja’s College on Monday as part of the college’s tree planting project for the city.


Green cover project for city
The idea is to have a green cover for Kochi. As the construction boom is turning the city into a multi-storeyed concrete jungle, the drive for tree canopies becomes more important. A project with such an aim took shape in the Nature Club of the Maharaja’s College and it began with a sapling being planted by Simon Britto, MLA, who had provided funds for the same.

The Minister for Forests, Binoy Vishwom, formally launched the project. The most effective way to clean the air of carbon dioxide is to have more trees. And the Department of Forests has been promoting a string of projects under the Social Forestry scheme.

On Environment Day, taking to the streets on cycles with a message of carbon-free transportation were representatives of Green Doctors — a youth forum of the Swadeshi Science Movement. A. Jayakumar, national organising secretary of Vijnana Bharathi, flagged off the rally from the High Court junction.

About 40 youngsters cycled around the city with an aim to spread the message of environment-friendly practices in daily life. Unfortunately, there were hardly any people on the road to witness the campaign, due to the hartal.

Some of the corporates, however, organised Environment Day a day later. The Recreation Club of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd. organised a programme at which the principal general manager, Charlie Mathew, planted a sapling on the occasion. Thereafter, a lecture was held on the State government’s Clean Kerala Mission. The District Mission Coordinator, N. Vinodini, spoke on the topic.

Shyama Rajagopal

The Hindu