The Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways has announced a series of transformative schemes under the Maritime India Vision 2030 (MIV 2030) and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 (MAKV 2047) to strengthen India’s maritime infrastructure, shipbuilding capabilities, and sustainable shipping procedures. The announcement was made by Union Minister Shri Sarbananda Sonowal in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha today on 3rd December 2024. It described India's strategic roadmap to position itself as an international maritime hub.
The government has drafted plans for two main mega ports at Vadhavan and Galathea Bay, alongside deep draft ports at Kandla, Tuticorin, and Paradip, to accommodate larger vessels such as Panamax and Cape-size ships. The creation of a transshipment hub at Galathea Bay is expected to significantly improve India’s maritime capacity. Further, a Comprehensive Port Connectivity Plan will boost multimodal connectivity, and six new National Waterways will be operationalized to facilitate inland transport.
The Ministry is developing an updated Shipbuilding and Ship Repair Policy aimed at modernizing domestic shipyards and attracting investment. Four Shipbuilding and Repair Clusters are planned, vowing to generate employment and increase India’s shipbuilding capabilities.
In a push toward sustainability, the government has established the “Harit Sagar” Green Port Guidelines to reduce carbon emissions. Major ports like Deendayal, Paradip, and V.O. Chidambaranar are being developed as Green Hydrogen/Ammonia Hubs under the National Hydrogen Mission. Initiatives such as the Green Tug Transition Programme (GTTP) and Harit Nauka Guidelines for inland waterways transportation echo India’s promise to eco-friendly shipping.
The newly launched Cruise Bharat Mission aims to double cruise passenger traffic by 2029. The development of six international cruise terminals will seek to show India as a leading global cruise destination, driving economic growth and tourism.
To support the maritime sector, the government is focusing on skilling initiatives, improving MSME participation in shipbuilding, and enabling seafarers to contribute to maritime education.
India is leveraging technology to optimize maritime operations. Key advancements include:
- VHF-based communication systems for marine navigation and traffic control.
- A Centralized Project Management System for monitoring capital projects.
- Digital schemes like the National Logistics Portal (Marine 2.0) and the Maritime Single Window (MSW) by 2026 to streamline port operations.
- The E-Samudra project for vessel registration and certification.
- Automated berth allocation powered by AI and ML by 2025.
By 2027, a National River Navigation and Traffic System will improve inland waterway efficiency, while a National Inland Vessel and Crew Registry is planned for 2026.
India plans to support shipyards in fulfilling compliance with the Hong Kong Convention on sustainable ship recycling by 2026. Further, the development of five Green Hydrogen/Ammonia hubs and over 1,000 green vessels by 2029 shows India's commitment to achieve environmentally sustainable maritime operations.
These ambitious initiatives mark an important step in India's journey towards becoming an international maritime powerhouse by 2047. By prioritizing infrastructure expansion, sustainability, and technological innovation, the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 seeks to change India's maritime landscape, ensuring economic development and environmental stewardship. (PR)