BIMCO INDIA FORUM in Ahmedabad Sees Strong Industry Participation and Engaging Dialogue
AHMEDABAD: The BIMCO India Forum, hosted by BIMCO at the Grand Mercure Ahmedabad GIFT City, concluded on a highly interactive and insightful note, bringing together a wide spectrum of stakeholders from India’s maritime sector.
The forum featured the presence of Mr. David Loosley, Secretary General & CEO of BIMCO, who delivered a comprehensive overview of BIMCO’s global role, highlighting its contributions to standardising shipping contracts, supporting regulatory alignment, and strengthening international maritime collaboration. His address set the tone for the discussions, emphasising the importance of global best practices and industry cohesion.
Capt. Ashok Srinivasan, Regional Manager & Technical Advisor (South Asia), followed with a detailed and well-received presentation outlining the practical benefits for Indian companies in joining BIMCO. He elaborated on access to globally recognised contracts, advisory support, training programmes, and the value of being part of a strong international shipping network.
The event witnessed active participation from ship recycling companies based in Alang, Bhavnagar, and Mumbai, along with members of the Ship Recycling Industries Association (India). The strong turnout from India’s ship recycling sector highlighted its growing intent to align with global regulatory standards and enhance international competitiveness.
A key highlight of the forum—clearly reflected in the sessions—was the high level of audience engagement. Participants actively interacted with BIMCO leadership, raising a wide range of practical and forward-looking questions on ship recycling regulations, contractual frameworks, compliance challenges, and evolving global shipping dynamics. The open exchange underscored both the awareness and preparedness of Indian stakeholders in navigating a rapidly changing maritime landscape.
Discussions during the forum also focused on responsible ship recycling and the implementation of the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, along with broader regulatory developments shaped by the International Maritime Organization and the Basel Convention.
Adding an academic perspective, Gujarat Maritime University actively participated in the forum. As highlighted in its official note, the event marked a significant milestone with BIMCO hosting such an interaction in India for the first time. Students gained valuable exposure to an international maritime platform and engaged directly with industry leaders. Dr. Dharmesh Raval, Director, School of Maritime Management, represented the university along with students from MBA and LL.M. programmes.
The overall atmosphere of the forum—as evident from the sessions—was dynamic and collaborative, with strong participation, attentive audiences, and meaningful exchanges between global leadership and Indian stakeholders.
The BIMCO India Forum successfully created a platform for industry dialogue, knowledge sharing, and global-local collaboration, reinforcing India’s growing prominence in the maritime sector. Such engagements are expected to further strengthen alignment with international standards and support the continued development of India’s shipping and ship recycling industries.
