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Regional Focus

coastline of 7,517 kilometres, having 13 major ports and 200 minor and intermediate
ports. All these ports put together are serviced by around 70 ship suppliers, all of whom

are part of ISSA and there are also more than 100 non-recognised ship suppliers all over
India. The biggest challenge was to connect all suppliers spread geographically across

different parts of India. Since most of the major ship suppliers are located in Mumbai

and Chennai I started off with first organising a meeting of ship suppliers in Mumbai
around three years back. Most of the companies took part in the meeting but there

was not as strong a response when the time came for an actual
registration/membership drive.” However, Mr Joseph has been patient in building

up the association’s membership, which began with 11 founding members but
now has 35 members, including company head offices and 56 branch offices. Mr

Joseph emphasised that at present, only ISSA members have been considered
for registration.

But what has Mr Joseph enjoyed most about setting up the association?
“Meeting fellow friends from the same industry has been the