India’s Maritime Revolution: Year-End Review Highlights Monumental Achievements and Vision for 2047
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways (MoPSW) caps off 2023 with groundbreaking achievements and unveils the ‘Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047,’ a strategic roadmap presented during the Global Maritime India Summit (GMIS). The comprehensive vision, backed by an Rs. 80,000 lakh crore investment, charts the course for a transformed maritime sector focusing on Logistics, Infrastructure, and Shipping to bolster India’s ‘Blue Economy’.
Global Recognition and Ranking: India achieves a significant milestone in international shipments, climbing to the 22nd rank from the 44th position in 2014, as revealed by the World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index (LPI) Report — 2023. Operational efficiency shines through with the average Container Dwell Time reaching an impressive 3 days, outperforming global counterparts.
National Logistics Portal and Digital Initiatives: In an effort to streamline logistics, MoPSW inaugurates the National Logistics Portal (Marine), a game-changing platform connecting all logistics stakeholders through IT. The ‘Sagar Manthan’ digital platform and the ‘Sagar-Setu’ mobile app further enhance real-time monitoring and ease of doing business, underlining India’s commitment to digital innovation.
Cruise Liners and River Cruise Ventures: India welcomes the Costa Serena, its first international cruise liner, setting sail from Mumbai. Additionally, the world’s longest river cruise, MV Ganga Vilas, embarks on a 51-day journey covering over 3,200 km across five Indian states and Bangladesh. These milestones mark significant strides in promoting tourism and maritime connectivity.
Ports Performance: Major Indian ports showcase exemplary performance with cargo handling reaching 500.82 million tons, and the Turn Around Time impressively reduced to 0.9 days. The ‘Harit Sagar’ initiative, emphasizing green port guidelines, aligns with global sustainability goals.
Hydrogen Hubs and Green Initiatives: India pushes the boundaries of sustainability with a Green Hydrogen hub agreement in Kolkata and the launch of the ‘Harit Shrey’ scheme at Mormugao Port, offering incentives for eco-friendly shipping. The inauguration of the first National Centre of Excellence in Green Port and Shipping reinforces India’s commitment to carbon neutrality.
Inland Waterways and Cargo Movement: Inland Waterways witness increased cargo movement, with 86.47 million metric tons transported from April to November 2023. The launch of the Inland Waterways Development Council (IWDC) signals a strategic initiative to boost Inland Water Transport (IWT) in India.
Strategic Projects and Initiatives: Multiple projects, including a mega-container terminal, capacity expansion at Visakhapatnam Port, and various developmental initiatives, receive the green light under public-private partnerships (PPP) and the Sagarmala program. The launch of the Online Dredging Monitoring System, ‘Sagar Samriddhi,’ ensures efficient dredging project completion.
India’s maritime success story in 2023 sets the stage for a visionary 2047, emphasizing sustainable development, technological innovation, and global leadership in the maritime domain.
