Steering India’s commitment towards sustainability, the Ministry has launched the nation’s first Centre of Excellence for Green Port & Shipping.
As one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, India recognizes the significance of the marine sector in nation-building. The maritime sector plays a crucial role in India’s economy, facilitating trade, boosting employment and global connectivity, and attracting foreign investment. The maritime industry is in line with the vision of making India a developed and self-dependent country by 2047.
Over the years, India has made substantial investments in modernizing port infrastructure, enhancing coastal shipping, and tapping into the vast potential of the blue economy. Undeniably, India’s strategic geographical location, situated at the crossroads of major international sea routes in the Indian Ocean, grants it a unique advantage as a maritime hub.
Maritime India Vision (MIV) 2030: Paving the way for a Thriving Maritime Sector
At the forefront of India’s efforts to elevate its maritime sector is the Maritime India Vision (MIV) 2030. The Maritime India Vision (MIV) 2030 has emerged as a strategic blueprint to accelerate the growth of India’s maritime sector. This visionary blueprint emphasizes the need to boost performance and productivity in the maritime industry to unlock even greater potential. For the creation of global standard ports in the country, MIV 2030 has identified more than 150 initiatives across various maritime sub-sectors like ports, shipping, and waterways. These initiatives are focused on operational efficiency improvement, port-driven industrialization and creating safe and sustainable world-class ports to address the growing trade volume needs, as well as reducing logistics costs through better evacuation and cost-effective processes.
As per a recent press release by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, MIV 2030 has received estimated investments of Rs. 1,00,000–1,25,000 crore to augment capacity and develop world-class infrastructure at Indian ports. With these investments, MIV 2030 seeks to transform India into a global maritime leader.
Role of Sagarmala Scheme in Modernising the Maritime Sector
The Sagarmala programme, a flagship initiative of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, is playing a vital role in promoting port-led development in India. By harnessing the country’s extensive 7,500 km long coastline, 14,500 km of potentially navigable waterways, and strategic location on key international maritime trade routes, Sagarmala has become a driving force behind the growth of India’s maritime sector. The programme has been designed to bring transformation in the existing system of ports to create modern, world-class ports and power the engine of growth of India.
In a positive move, 70 projects worth Rs. 2,856 crores, under the Sagarmala Programme, have been recently sanctioned for the development of coastal berths, roll-on/roll-off terminals, and passenger jetties. Out of the 70 projects, 15 projects worth Rs 849 crore have already been completed. These investments will result in improved connectivity, reduced logistics costs, and enhanced overall efficiency of India’s maritime logistics chain, thereby bolstering the nation’s trade prospects.
Recent Developments of Port Infrastructure in India
Over the past few years, India has experienced significant improvements in its port infrastructure, witnessing enhanced port efficiency, productivity, and overall performance. As per Sarbananda Sonowal, Minister for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, the total cargo handling capacity in major ports has surged by an impressive 86%, rising from 871.52 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) in 2014-15 to 1617 mtpa in 2022-23. India has also excelled in container turnaround time, with a swift 0.9 days, outperforming other major global players such as Singapore, UAE, and Germany, according to the Logistic Performance Index Report-2023 published by the World Bank. Additionally, to attract more shipping lines to prefer Indian ports, strategic alliances with major shipping companies are being actively pursued. Major ports such as Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), Chennai Port, and Kolkata Port have also undergone extensive modernization to accommodate larger vessels and handle the increasing cargo volumes more efficiently.
Some of India’s port infrastructure upgradation is currently underway. The development of Vadhavan Port in Maharashtra is in progress. Moreover, major ports like Deendayal and Paradip are being developed as mega ports, set to handle a cargo capacity of more than 300 mtpa by 2027. RITES, a government of India enterprise under the Indian Railways, has been actively contributing to the development of ports. It has recently provided Project Management Consultancy (PMC) services for the Machilipatnam Port project.
Conclusion
India’s maritime sector is undeniably a catalyst for economic growth and global connectivity. The Maritime India Vision 2030, along with initiatives like Sagarmala, has been instrumental in shaping the sector’s growth trajectory. While significant progress has been made, challenges such as port congestion, inadequate infrastructure, technological limitations, and regulatory issues must be addressed through sustained efforts and collaboration between the government, industry, and other stakeholders.
Steering India’s commitment towards sustainability, the Ministry has launched the nation’s first Centre of Excellence for Green Port & Shipping. This initiative aims to forge a path towards carbon neutrality and a circular economy in the shipping sector, solidifying India’s position as a leader in shaping a greener and more prosperous maritime future for the nation and the world. With such resolute determination, India’s maritime prowess is set to reach new heights, fostering an era of unparalleled economic prosperity and global connectivity for generations to come.
(This article is authored by Dr. GP Pandey, Professor, Assam University)
