INDIA BUSINESS WORLD - DECEMBER 16^th - DECEMBER 31^st - 2007

MUMBAI'S SKS LOGISTICS ENTERS TOURISM SECTOR, JOINS HANDS WITH MTDC

The Mumbai-based SKS Logistics, formerly Shahi Shipping, is foraying into tourism sector. An SKS group company --Royal Cruise Liners -- will be tying up with the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) for a 75:25 joint venture for introducing `Duck tours' in the city.

SKS was the only company short-listed for MTDC's duck tours tender in the city. It is expected that by January-end, joint venture will be formalised. Following which orders for the two amphibious crafts, costing altogether about Rs 10 crore, will be placed. "These tours would be one-of-its kind experience in the country. And with our ship repairing facilities as backup, we are quite equipped to maintain them in the long run," says Sarvesh K Shahi, CEO of SKS Logistics.

The Mumbai's own duck vehicle will have capacity to carry 50 passengers at a time. The two brand new duck vehicles for Mumbai will be imported from a Danish company. "These are scheduled to be delivered within three months of the joint venture company placing the order with (Danish) firm," said Mr. Shahi.

Mumbai is going to be the second major city in Asia to host `Duck' tours. A popular form of tourist attraction in Europe, the US, Australia and Singapore -- the first city that introduced the adventure five years ago, `Duck' tours are basically conducted on amphibious crafts -- a half boat and half truck structure -- that runs on both water and land, providing non-stop excitement to tourists.

Typically spanning an hour and half, the tour will explore hidden and interesting aspects of the city on both land and water and can move around simultaneously on both surfaces. For Mumbai too, the tour will unravel several intriguing aspects such as its emergence from a cluster of seven islands, when was the city given as dowry, and when and how Nariman Point was born, among others.

The `Duck' tour is expected to start the journey from Bandra and terminate at Gateway of India near Coloba. Despite its marginally high pricing of about $15 (Rs 600) per person, the tour is expected to draw lot of tourists and locals. According to US Coast Guard estimates, over one million passengers ride Ducks every year. Such tours are great attraction in Singapore, Boston, London and Australia.

In future, the `Duck' tours may also get expanded to other branding exercise like creating own merchandise.

Duck' tours have come to be commercially exploited only three decades ago. The Ducks' were primarily built to carry supplies from ships to points on land during wars including the World War II, Korean and Vietnam wars. Initially, these were called DUKW with D standing for the code for the first year of production -- that is 1942, U representing its body form, K for its front wheel drive and W for two rear driving wheels.

But as their utility reduced in the defense forces, the wacky `Ducks' found their way in tourism as these involved no switching of mode of transport for land and sea. And now, these splashing' Ducks with monstrous wheels are all set to find their way in Mumbai.