The ports and shipping sector plays an essential role in the country’s economy. The current momentum reflects sustainable and inclusive growth. With the right balance of investment, innovation and policy support, the sector has the potential to position India as a leading global maritime power. At recent industry events, Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, discussed the key achievements of the sector, expanding infrastructure capacity, the green energy transition and the way forward for the sector. Edited excerpts…
Over the past decade, coordinated efforts between central and regional authorities have demonstrated the potential for significant progress in the sector. This collaborative environment not only drives success but also fosters motivation and opportunity for future generations. As one of the country’s most critical transportation sectors, maritime infrastructure and operations demand sustained investment in innovation, policy development and strategic initiatives to unlock their full economic potential.
Maritime goals and global competitiveness
The oceans, while separating continents, unite countries in shared purpose and collective progress. For India, the sea has historically been a vital bridge to the world. From the ancient ports of civilisation to the dynamic harbours of the present day, the maritime journey has been defined by connection, exchange and opportunity.
India boasts an extensive coastline exceeding 11,000 km, along with more than 14,000 km of highly resourceful and potentially viable inland waterways. Effectively exploring these natural assets requires the application of innovative strategies and forward-thinking solutions to position the country as a leading maritime power on the global stage. Such an ambitious goal can only be realised through a collaborative and integrated approach involving all key stakeholders, such as states, union territories and private sector participants. The principle of public-private partnerships underpins this comprehensive development framework, emphasising the importance of collective commitment and cooperation.
It is within this context that the Maritime Vision 2030 and the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 have been formulated. These strategic frameworks clearly define the targeted objectives for the sector. The ambitious goal is to position the nation as one of the world’s leading shipbuilding countries by 2047, ranking among the top five globally. Additionally, by then, Indian ports are projected to handle a cargo volume exceeding 10,000 million metric tonnes per annum (mmtpa). To accommodate such capacity, it is essential to significantly strengthen port capacities and related infrastructure.
The overarching goal has been to enhance the maritime sector’s global competitiveness. This is now being achieved through the modernisation, mechanisation and digitalisation of port operations, thereby improving efficiency and ensuring that the latest global facilities are accessible to all stakeholders.
“Global competitiveness is being achieved through the modernisation, mechanisation and digitalisation of port operations, thereby improving efficiency and ensuring that the latest global facilities are accessible to all stakeholders.”
Sector progress, major developments and key initiatives
Over the past 11 years, the port sector has achieved significant milestones. Port capacity has nearly doubled, cargo handling volumes have risen to 1,600 million metric tonnes mmt, and the turnaround time at several leading ports has been reduced to just 22 hours.
Parliament has recently enacted five critical maritime legislations: the Bills of Lading Act, the Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, the Merchant Shipping Act, the Coastal Shipping Act, and the Indian Ports Act. These reform-led laws replace outdated laws and bring the maritime legal framework in line with international best practices, thereby enhancing governance, trade facilitation and shipping development. This legislative advancement is expected to lead to further investments and improve sector efficiency, reinforcing India’s Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.
Another exciting development is the growing international cooperation. India has been collaborating closely with a number of countries on a range of issues such as maritime security, domain awareness, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. MoUs have been signed with countries such as Portugal, the UAE, Vietnam, Thailand, the Netherlands and Denmark. Additionally, more than 30 other nations are actively being considered for partnerships, positioning the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) as a global hub for maritime collaboration.
India is progressing with its green transition programme by developing hydrogen-powered vessels, bunkering facilities and green hydrogen hubs. The expansion of liquefied natural gas bunkering infrastructure at major ports is also under way, aligning with the global movement toward sustainable shipping practices. Additionally, the NMHC at Lothal in Gujarat represents a flagship initiative honouring India’s seafaring excellence and rich maritime history, which spans over 5,000 years.
A dedicated financing mechanism has also been established to channel global capital into port land development, coastal shipping and multimodal logistics through the creation of the Maritime Development Fund. With investments exceeding $6 billion in shipbuilding and ship repair clusters, maritime industrial parks and green hubs, substantial opportunities are emerging for technology partnerships and high-return investments.
Building on this momentum, the virtual trade corridor is being developed to integrate ports and logistics through seamless digital platforms, where investment in technology, data and innovation presents significant opportunities and returns. To strengthen India’s position as a global maritime finance hub, a dedicated ship leasing and financing framework has been established at the International Financial Services Centre, GIFT City, Gujarat. This reduces dependence on overseas hubs and paves the way for new global partnerships.
India’s maritime growth is also supported by world-class infrastructure. The Alang-Sosiya Ship Recycling Yard, spread across a 10 km stretch along the Gulf of Cambay in Gujarat, is one of the largest ship recycling facilities in the world. It comprises 131 operational ship recycling plots, with over 80 per cent of them (115 plots) compliant with the Hong Kong Convention, demonstrating strong adherence to international standards.
Progress under the Sagarmala Pariyojana
Transformation in this sector hinges on advancements in transportation, which is why a guiding principle has been established, emphasising reform, perform and transport. This approach, characterised by a focus on speed and scale, serves as a strict framework for ongoing efforts.
The Sagarmala Pariyojana is about to complete 10 years now. Under the programme, a total of 839 projects have been identified, with an estimated investment of Rs 5.79 trillion. Of these, 272 projects worth Rs 1.41 trillion have already been completed. These include projects across five key verticals: port modernisation, port and land connectivity enhancement, port-led industrialisation, coastal community development, and coastal shipping and Indian waterways.
The launch of Sagarmala 2.0 marks a significant step towards addressing critical gaps that remain and ensuring the successful progression of the overall strategy. A key component of this is the Sagarmala Startup and Innovation initiative, designed to stimulate entrepreneurship and innovation in the sector. Given the relatively limited presence of start-ups in this field, this step aims to encourage the younger generation to contribute innovative ideas that can strengthen ongoing efforts, enhance the sector’s capacity and drive future growth.
The Sagarmala Committee holds a critical role in steering and overseeing the initiatives under the programme. It is imperative to give full attention to the committee’s objectives and ensure its effective functioning in monitoring and initiating various projects under the programme. Regular, state-wise reviews conducted with thorough effort will enable the central and state governments to identify any gaps in progress or the need for new initiatives. Such evaluations will bring issues to light, facilitating timely corrective actions and enhancements. Active participation is, therefore, highly encouraged. Additionally, contributions from state governments in the form of new policies and programmes can further enrich the committee’s work, adding value to the overall strategy. With numerous goals set for the next decade, sustained collaboration and commitment remain essential for the successful realisation of the Sagarmala vision.
Setting sail for 2047
Going forward, India is positioned to significantly expand its maritime capacities and global presence. In the shipping segment, the country aims to achieve a 20 per cent share of the global ship recycling market and rank among the top five shipbuilding nations by 2047, underscoring a commitment to sustainable and advanced maritime industries. This progress is further reinforced by the steady growth of the Indian-flag fleet and its expanding seafarer workforce, both of which highlight the nation’s increasing contribution to global shipping operations.
The sector’s journey has now entered a new phase. With a massive coastline, 12 major ports and more than 200 non-major ports, capacity is being developed not only to support India’s growth but also to contribute to global development and enhance supply chain resilience.
Initiatives such as Maritime India Vision 2030 and Maritime Amritkaal Vision 2047 are driving the transformation of the ports, shipping and logistics ecosystem into a resilient, sustainable and future-ready segment. These efforts unlock significant opportunities for international collaboration and investment. At the heart of this transformation lies a $1 trillion maritime investment road map. It offers substantial prospects for joint ventures across diverse segments, such as port and cargo terminal development, multimodal terminals, maritime services, shipbuilding, ship recycling, ship repair, green hydrogen hubs and sustainable shipping solutions.
Strengthening this vision are mega projects such as Vadhvan port, the Galathea Bay and Shipment port, and the Tuna-Tekra terminals. These projects are designed to expand India’s cargo-handling capacity to 10,000 mmtpa by 2047. More importantly, they serve as strategic platforms for global partnerships, positioning India as a key player in the global landscape.
In its current growth momentum, India stands ready to contribute, collaborate and lead. The sector’s growth story is not just about scale; it embodies a clear and forward-looking vision.
