New centre to anchor communication for domestic industry

The Union shipping secretary, D T Joseph, said that the new communication centre at the Directorate General of Shipping should be utilised for other common benefits to the shipping fraternity.

Speaking at the inauguration of the centre, he said that it will ensure that the investment in infrastructure and maintenance of the communication centre is fully exploited.

The president of Indian National Shipowners Association (INSA) and the chairman and managing director of the Shipping Corporation of India, P K Srivastava and J C Anand, chairman of the Indian Register of Shipping; and the director-general of shipping, G S Sahni, were also present at the occasion.

The Directorate General of Shipping has set up a communication centre in its premises as per the requirement of ISPS Code.

The communication centre will be in a position to alert Indian ships all over the world and all foreign ship in the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal (NAV Area VIII) with the help of EGC facility and "Fleet Net" services.

It will also be helpful in receiving information on maritime security and thereafter disseminating such information to any Indian ship or foreign ship on Indian shore.

The communication centre can also exchange all security related information with all approved port facilities in India as and when required.

The communication centre is being manned by radio officers and master mariners on a 24x7 basis.

The centre has been set up with the active participation and help of Indian Register of Shipping, Indian National Shipowners Association and Indian Ports Association.

The communication centre has radio communication equipment such as VHF DSC facility, MF/HF SSB DSC with radio telex.

In addition to these, it is also equipped with satellite based INMARSAT Global area network M4 system and Satellite C and Enhanced Group Calling (EGC) facility for speedy communication with Indian ships and ports in the Indian coast in cases of any emergency.