India Creates Society to Spread Maritime Awareness

The Maritime Awareness Program Society (MAPS), a non-profit society, has been launched in India to help disseminate the important role that shipping plays in India to the general public. The members of MAPS will work towards the realization of due credit to shipping for its role in the nation’s standard of living and contribution to the global economy. 

The MAPS steering committee members consist of shipping luminaries and are chaired by Sabyasachi Hajara, a board member at Doehle Danautic India. Corporate members include Allcargo Logistics, Anglo Eastern Ship Management, Bose & Mitra & Co, Doehle Danautic India, Elite Mariners, IRI Maritime & Corporate Services, Selandia Group, V.Ships India and Wallem Ship Management.

The organization is aiming to initiate dedicated forums with industry experts, special courses in education institutions and knowledge development programs. It hopes to promote books on the maritime industry including the book An Introduction to Maritime Industry- Focus on India that it hopes will be introduced into the school curriculum. 

The Daily Times of India reports Hajara saying: “The shipping industry has tremendous untapped potential and through this event our industry will receive the right exposure and public awareness. Shipping is still passing through a difficult phase. However since both world economy and international trade are expected to register higher growth in 2014 v/s a v/s last couple of years we expect the fortunes of shipping would also be better in 2014. The shipping markets are expected to be significantly better from 2015 onwards.”