Page 42: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (October 2013)

42 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News ? OCTOBER 2013 Marine SalvageHe draws attention to the fact that Indian salvage operators are at a disadvantage compared to many maritime countries. As in the U.S., where the Jones Act is in force, there is not much encouragement or reforms brought into place by the government of India to promote or support Indian players. ?A lack of recognition of national competence is purely driven by ignorance and this has to change,? he said. ?There is an imperative need to reform our cabo-tage law and to promote capacity building as there is enough talent and capacity in the country to be self sufÞ cient.?Capt. Kalia looks forward to the International Maritime Organization?s (IMO) Nairobi Wreck Re- moval Convention of 2007 coming into force as this he contends will empower states to order the remov-al of wrecks from the waters that extend from their territorial waters to the 200-mile exclusive econom-ic zone (EEZ). He explains that instances of own-ers and underwriters abandoning their ships? wrecks outside Indian territorial waters, for example, M/V Rak Carrier, M/T Pavit and many more, will witness a sharp decline, providing a relief to the country?s coastal states and generate business opportunities for salvors. ?As newcomers we face several chal-lenges. The salvage industry in India is still at a nascent stage. International salvors dominate this niche sector and entry of Indian companies is therefore limited. The economics of this industry has changed over time. Improvements in PSC regimes have reduced the num- ber of casualties. The lack of support or encouragement from the govern- ment to promote national companies, outdated Indian laws with respect to salvage and wreck removal and cut- throat competition are still deterrents for prospective players envisaging to enter this business.? Capt. Sandeep Kalia MR #10 (42-49).indd 42MR #10 (42-49).indd 4210/3/2013 2:08:37 PM10/3/2013 2:08:37 PM