The Union Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways (MoPSW) launched key initiatives on February 27, 2025, to modernize India’s maritime infrastructure, improve trade efficiency, and promote sustainability. These initiatives include new schemes, investments in port infrastructure, and policy updates aimed at positioning India as a leading maritime hub.
New Schemes And Initiatives
- One Nation-One Port Process (ONOP): Standardizes port operations across India’s major ports to eliminate inefficiencies, reduce costs, and streamline documentation processes.
- Sagar Ankalan – Logistics Port Performance Index (LPPI): Introduced for FY 2023-24 to measure and enhance efficiency, global competitiveness, and operational performance in India’s maritime sector.
- Bharat Global Ports Consortium: Strengthens India’s maritime trade by expanding global reach and increasing trade resilience.
- MAITRI Logo (Master Application for International Trade and Regulatory Interface): Simplifies trade procedures, reduces bureaucratic delays, and expedites clearances to enhance the ease of doing business.
- India Maritime Week (October 27-31, 2025): A biennial global maritime event celebrating India’s maritime heritage and industry growth, expected to attract participants from 100 countries and over 100,000 delegates.
India’s Maritime Sector Overview
Strategic Position: India, located along major global shipping routes, plays a crucial role in international trade.
Trade Volume: Handles 95% of India’s trade by volume and 70% by value, highlighting the importance of port infrastructure in economic growth.
Cargo-Handling Growth: Major ports increased their annual cargo-handling capacity by 87.01% from 2014-15 to 2023-24.
Rise in Exports: India’s merchandise exports increased to USD 451 billion in FY23 from USD 417 billion in FY22, demonstrating a strong trade performance.
Global Ranking: India is the 16th-largest maritime nation, with significant influence on international trade routes.
Investment Plans: The government plans to invest USD 82 billion in port infrastructure projects by 2035 to boost efficiency and trade capabilities.
Expansion of Shipping Fleet: Plans to establish a new shipping company to expand India’s fleet by at least 1,000 ships in the next decade, reducing foreign freight costs by one-third by 2047.
Major Developments And Achievements
- Reduction in Container Turnaround Time: In 2023-24, Indian ports reduced container turnaround time to 22.57 hours, surpassing global standards.
- Financial Performance:
- Paradip Port earned ₹1,570 crore (USD 188 million) with a 21% increase in net surplus.
- Jawaharlal Nehru Port reported a net surplus of ₹1,263.94 crore (USD 151 million).
Port Expansion: Paradip Port became India’s largest major port by cargo volume in FY24, handling 145.38 million tonnes, surpassing Deendayal Port Authority.
New Major Port Project: The government approved the construction of a new major port at Vadhavan, Maharashtra, at an estimated cost of ₹76,220 crore (USD 9.14 billion) to enhance EXIM trade capacity.
Shipbuilding Competitiveness: The updated Shipbuilding Financial Assistance Policy (SBFAP) in July 2024 allocated ₹337 crore (USD 40.40 million) to boost domestic shipbuilding, securing 313 vessel orders worth ₹10,500 crore (USD 1.26 billion).
Green And Digital Transformation in the Maritime Sector
Panch Karma Sankalp (May 2024):
- 30% financial support for Green Shipping projects.
- Green Tug Transition Programme: Major ports to procure two green tugs each.
- Development of Deendayal and VO Chidambaranar Ports as Green Hydrogen Hubs.
- Establishment of a Single Window Portal for monitoring river and sea cruises.
- Transformation of Jawaharlal Nehru and VO Chidambaranar Ports into smart ports by next year.
Government Schemes In The Maritime Sector
Sagarmala Programme
- Aims at port-led development, leveraging India’s 7,500 km coastline and 14,500 km of navigable waterways.
- Provides financial aid for coastal berths, connectivity projects, skill development, and cruise terminals.
- As of July 2024, 130 projects worth ₹3,714 crore have been sanctioned.
Maritime India Vision (MIV) 2030
- A blueprint for maritime sector growth, developed with input from over 350 public and private stakeholders.
- Encompasses 150+ initiatives focusing on ports, shipyards, inland waterways, and trade enhancement.
Inland Waterways Development
- The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) identified 26 new national waterways for development.
- Promotes cost-effective, sustainable transportation alternatives to reduce road and rail congestion.
Green Tug Transition Program (GTTP)
- Aims to replace conventional fuel-based harbor tugs with eco-friendly alternatives.
- Complete transition expected by 2040 to establish a fully green fleet at Indian ports.