The Ministry for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways has launched key initiatives to modernize India’s maritime infrastructure, improve port efficiency, and promote sustainable shipping.
India’s Maritime Sector:
- India has a 7,500 km coastline with 12 major ports and 200+ minor ports, supporting economic growth.
- Handles 95% of trade by volume and 70% by value.
- In 2023, India contributed 16% to global growth and is expected to become the third-largest economy in the next three years.
Strategic Importance
- India is located along key global shipping lanes, making it a crucial trade hub.
- Major cargo ships traveling between East Asia, America, Europe, and Africa pass through Indian waters.
- India plays a significant role in global maritime governance.
Key Initiatives and Developments
1. Sagarmanthan 2024
- South Asia’s largest maritime forum, organized by MoPSW and ORF.
- Focus areas: Blue economy, global supply chains, maritime logistics, and sustainable growth.
2. Maritime India Vision 2030
- Outlines 150 initiatives to position India as a global maritime leader.
- Focus on Green and Smart Ports, Fleet Expansion, and Infrastructure Development.
3. Panch Karma Sankalp
- Five major announcements focusing on green shipping and digitization.
- MoPSW to provide 30% financial support for Green Shipping initiatives like Green Tug Transition Programme & Green Hydrogen Hubs.
4. Sagarmala Programme
- Focus on port-led development, infrastructure projects, and connectivity.
- Financial assistance for coastal berths, road & rail connectivity, fish harbors, cruise terminals, and Ro-Pax ferry services.
Challenges and Opportunities in India’s Maritime Sector
1. Infrastructure & Modernization
- India aims to be among the top five maritime nations by 2047.
- Cargo handling capacity must expand from 1,600 MMT to 10,000 MMT.
- Requires modernization of ports, cargo handling, and development of green ports.
2. Regulatory and Policy Framework
- Upcoming Coastal Shipping Bill & Merchant Shipping Bill to boost coastal shipping and ease operations.
- Regulatory clarity and effective implementation are critical.
3. Security and Strategic Challenges
- Focus on indigenous nuclear-powered submarines and anti-piracy measures.
- Maintaining and upgrading maritime security capabilities is a continuous challenge.
4. Economic and Global Competition
- Logistics improvement, reducing container dwell time, and faster turnaround times needed for global competitiveness.
- Strategic partnerships and international collaboration will play a key role.
5. Environmental Sustainability
- Green ports & green shipping initiatives require major investment & technological upgrades.
- Indian Coast Guard plays a crucial role in marine environmental protection & oil spill response.
6. Human Resources & Skill Development
- Focus on training in advanced maritime technologies and ensuring global safety standards.
- Collaboration with international partners for knowledge transfer and skill enhancement.
Key Initiatives for Maritime Modernization
1. One Nation-One Port Process (ONOP)
- Standardizes port operations to reduce inconsistencies in documentation.
- Reduces container operation documents by 33% and bulk cargo documents by 29%, streamlining logistics.
2. Sagar Ankalan – Logistics Port Performance Index (LPPI) 2023-24
- A performance evaluation system based on:
- Turnaround time
- Berth idle time
- Cargo handling efficiency
3. Bharat Global Ports Consortium
- Expands India’s maritime influence by integrating key stakeholders in port operations, finance, and infrastructure.
- Led by:
- India Ports Global Ltd (Operations)
- Sagarmala Development Company Ltd (Finance)
- Indian Port Rail & Ropeway Corporation Ltd (Infrastructure Development)
- Enhances India’s role in global trade and logistics.
4. MAITRI Platform (Master Application for International Trade and Regulatory Interface)
- Digitizes trade documentation to optimize trade flows and reduce processing time.
- Facilitates the Virtual Trade Corridor (VTC) between India and UAE (under IMEC).
- Future expansion to BIMSTEC and ASEAN using AI and Blockchain for security and efficiency.
5. NCoEGPS – National Centre of Excellence in Green Port & Shipping
- Focuses on eco-friendly port management and carbon footprint reduction.
- Promotes clean fuels and sustainable maritime practices in line with global environmental goals.
Maritime Sector Initiatives in Union Budget 2025-26
1. Maritime Development Fund (MDF)
- ₹25,000 crore fund to support maritime growth through equity and debt financing.
2. Ship Breaking Credit Note Scheme
- Incentivizes ship scrapping by offering a credit note of 40% of the scrap value, which can be used to buy Made in India ships.
3. Infrastructure Harmonized Master List (HML)
- Large ships will be added to the HML, enabling:
- Long-term financing
- Tax incentives
- Increased private investment
- Fleet modernization
The modernization of India’s maritime sector is a critical step towards enhancing trade competitiveness, boosting infrastructure, and aligning with global sustainability standards. These initiatives will help India establish itself as a global maritime hub while promoting efficiency, digitalization, and green shipping solutions.
