Editorial

Infrastructure is one sector whose requirement has been booming since yesteryears and has today turned out to be the most basic priority for any government body. Gone are the days when people were just satisfied with receiving goods no matter how delayed. In today's times, the goods have to reach their target audience not only in the quickest possible time, but also at the lowest possible cost. Logistics plays a very critical role in making this possible. For a developing economy like India, the importance of infrastructure cannot be understated. Though the government has realised its importance and gives prominence to the development of logistics and related infrastructure requirements, India still lags behind in comparison to other developed economies.

Every infrastructure related sector – be it ports, road, rail, air, warehouses has its own shortcomings. However, if shortcomings exist, then so do the solutions. Gujarat is one state which realized the importance of good infrastructure and logistics much early for the overall development of all the sectors of the State and for the matter of fact, for country as a whole, thereby thrusting on development of infrastructure facilities in the state. With such emphasis on infrastructure, Gujarat has created an atmosphere for sustained development. Cover Story of Fourth edition of GMB e-Musing focuses on the current requirements of logistics sector, the challenges and the initiatives taken by Gujarat in overcoming these challenges.

Gujarat Maritime Board is one such pioneering entity of Gujarat which has always thought ahead of its counterparts introducing the newest concepts in terms of port sector to the country and creating a foothold for itself in the list of initiative takers. All the three stories of 'Salient Sailing' for Fourth edition of GMB e-Musing focus towards this peculiarity of GMB. The Fourth edition includes articles on Integrated Port Management System – a system which would change the way ports of GMB function technology wise, Concept of Marine Equipment Parks – a peek into future and a solution called floating cranes for anchorage ports of Gujarat.

Sustainable transport solutions for a country like India are a challenge. The answers to such questions are sought in the concept of Ro-Ro and Con-Ro, with their feasibility and suitability to Indian scenario. Isn't it imperative that the responsibility for raising the level of the precedents set by itself lies on a State or an entity which has always led its way setting an example for others? This idea is accentuated in the article titled 'Raising the Bar – Fast implementation is the key!' which explores the arenas for further development for an entity like GMB which is always thinking ahead of its times.

Various companies which have set up their facilities in GMB waters have endeavoured developing and bringing such technologies to the State that aid in continuing Gujarat's existence in the list of advanced maritime states. One such technology of side launching the ships is talked about in the article titled 'World's Biggest Side Launch of Ship in Gujarat'. Another such innovative concept is 'Floating Storage and Regasification Unit' which is currently being proposed in GMB waters. FSRU is a technology which would add a yet another feather in the cap of GMB's achievement list.

We have been receiving requests from our stakeholders through our feedback system whereby they had requested us to add them in our mailing list for continuous updates on the editions of GMB e-Musing. We are overwhelmed. These requests prompted us to introduce a new system of 'Subscription' to our magazine that would automatically let the subscribers be added to our ever increasing mailing list.

Hope you enjoy reading this Fourth edition of GMB e-Musing and continue the same for our forthcoming issues. And as we have always emphasized, we would be glad to receive your suggestions and feedbacks for better serving of the objective of GMB e-Musing.

Happy Reading!

Jyotsna Bhatia
GMB e-Musing