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The economic skies could darken, the oceans, straits and channels could hold forth nothing but peril and containers can sail out empty and dingy, but can they dampen the spirits of the sailors and their huge ships? No. We will put up the masts and sail forth no matter how stormy the weather is or choppy the waters are. That’s the message shipping executives from the maritime and logistics community sent out during the fourth edition of the Containers India Conference and Gateway Awards ceremony at Mumbai on August 12, 2016.
Hosted by Maritime Gateway the conference is convened every year to discuss pivotal issues that shape course of sea trade across the world. The theme this year was ‘Moving Forward in Challenging Times’ as the head honchos put their heads together on devising ways of surviving yet another season of fiscal gloom. Following a very challenging 2015 with weak demand and over supply of vessels leading to touch market conditions, the hope of recovery in 2016 does not look promising. In the conference leading analysts and industry figures shared their thoughts on the global and Indian container trade and spoke of how to move forward and lead through difficult times.
The key talking points of the session were global and local container market outlook, destinations of new opportunity and the bright prospect of coastal shipping in India. During the keynote and the two following sessions, a packed audience sat to soak in mantras of survival, made mental notes of all the do’s and don’ts and avowed their commitment to see the sector through its troubled days. Each session had speakers representing the maritime and logistics diaspora dotted with key policy makers that pledged their support to ease ways of doing business. With India strengthening its position in the subcontinent and forging stronger ties with its neighbours, speakers from Bangladesh and Sri Lanka spoke of a brighter future for sea trade with India and their nations. The perfectly timed sessions came up with answers for all the questions the audience had. What is the Plan B when freight rates are falling freely? Who is going to take China’s place in revving up demand for commodities? How long before the sector recovers? By the end of day’s play, chiefs and their subs walked out with a spring in their step having answers to varied issues that preyed on their minds and their balance sheets.
The Grand Ball Room closed briefly for a makeover to be all spruced up for the awards night. The red carpet was spread for all to walk on as everyone that makes it to a Gateway Awards night is a either a celebrity or one in the making. As fifteen awards were given away for achieving a breakthrough in business, the crowd cheered and clapped not betraying a sense of bonhomie and delight for their peers who stood up tough and braved the odds. Amidst the unpredictable seas, every sailor is a soldier and every officer a warrior on land as they make things work despite many hazards. The awards were interspersed with short, but interesting doses of entertainment with a young lad – a Captain’s son thrilling the audience with his runaway hits on the keyboard. Then came a classical song describing the state of the industry followed by a tete-a-tete with Bollywood actor and theatre star Rajat Kapoor who shared his learnings with all. The Women in Shipping also chose a winner amongst them who is a household name in the shipping industry. As trophies and plaques were all given away, the industry was rewarded with Sagar Mitra, an app for everyone coursing the seas to track and trace their shipments and know more of vessel schedules. The app was designed by Volteo, a technology firm. The awards night was hosted with aplomb and was a dazzling celebration of colour, music and cheer – something the enviable guest list ascribed to the evening reflecting the high esteem in which they are held.
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