{"id":58009,"date":"2025-10-30T20:05:04","date_gmt":"2025-10-30T14:35:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/?p=58009"},"modified":"2025-11-01T10:40:24","modified_gmt":"2025-11-01T05:10:24","slug":"indian-maritime-sector-has-seen-historic-progress-pm-modi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/30-10-2025\/indian-maritime-sector-has-seen-historic-progress-pm-modi","title":{"rendered":"Indian Maritime Sector Has Seen Historic Progress: PM Modi"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/Infrastructure<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Recently, the Prime Minister of India, addressing the <strong>Maritime Leaders\u2019 Conclave <\/strong>during <strong>India Maritime Week 2025,<\/strong> declared that <strong>India\u2019s maritime sector<\/strong> has undergone \u2018historic progress\u2019, positioning the nation as a rising force in global maritime trade.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About the India\u2019s Maritime Sector<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Nearly 95% of India\u2019s trade by volume and about 70% by value moves through maritime routes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In FY 2024\u201325, major ports handled about 855 million tonnes of cargo, signaling robust growth in maritime trade and port efficiency.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Maritime India Vision 2030 charts 150+ initiatives with projected investments of \u20b93\u20133.5 lakh crore, supported by a recent \u20b969,725 crore package for shipbuilding.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>India\u2019s Ports: New Benchmarks<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Expanding Capacity and Efficiency: <\/strong>India\u2019s port capacity has nearly <strong>doubled<\/strong>, rising from <strong>1,400 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA)<\/strong> in 2014 to <strong>2,762 MMTPA<\/strong> in 2025.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Cargo handling volumes also surged from <strong>972 million metric tonnes (MMT)<\/strong> to <strong>1,594 MMT<\/strong>, with major ports handling <strong>855 MMT in FY 2024\u201325<\/strong>, up from <strong>819 MMT<\/strong> the previous year.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The <strong>average vessel turnaround time<\/strong> dropped from <strong>93 hours to 48 hours<\/strong>, enhancing global competitiveness and throughput.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Financial Strength and Productivity: <\/strong>India\u2019s maritime sector\u2019s <strong>net annual surplus<\/strong> increased from <strong>\u20b91,026 crore to \u20b99,352 crore<\/strong>, while the <strong>operating ratio<\/strong> improved from <strong>73% to 43%<\/strong>, reflecting robust financial discipline and operational sustainability.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Indian Shipping: Expanding Fleet &amp; Capacity<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Fleet and Tonnage Growth: <\/strong>India\u2019s shipping fleet expanded from <strong>1,205 to 1,549 Indian-flagged vessels<\/strong>, with <strong>gross tonnage<\/strong> rising from <strong>10 MGT to 13.52 MGT<\/strong>, underscoring growing national capacity in maritime trade.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Rise of Coastal Shipping: <\/strong>Coastal cargo movement nearly <strong>doubled<\/strong> from <strong>87 MMT to 165 MMT<\/strong>, highlighting a strategic shift toward <strong>low-cost and eco-friendly transport<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Empowering the Seafaring Workforce: <\/strong>India\u2019s seafarer community has grown from <strong>1.25 lakh to over 3 lakh<\/strong>, now comprising <strong>12% of the global workforce<\/strong>.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>India ranks among the <strong>top three suppliers<\/strong> of trained seafarers, creating global opportunities across ship operations and logistics.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>India\u2019s Inland Waterways<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The <strong>Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI)<\/strong> reported a record <strong>146 MMT cargo movement in 2025<\/strong>, up from <strong>18 MMT in 2014<\/strong> \u2014 an astounding <strong>710% increase<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The number of <strong>operational waterways<\/strong> grew from <strong>3 to 29<\/strong>, strengthening India\u2019s riverine logistics network.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The <strong>Haldia Multi-Modal Terminal (MMT)<\/strong> in West Bengal \u2014 developed with <strong>World Bank support<\/strong> and handed to <strong>IRC Natural Resources<\/strong> under PPP mode \u2014 has a <strong>3.08 MMTPA capacity<\/strong>, marking a milestone in multimodal transport integration.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Ferry and Ro-Pax Revolution: <\/strong>Over <strong>7.5 crore passengers<\/strong> travelled via ferry and <strong>Ro-Pax services<\/strong> in 2024\u201325, reflecting public confidence in <strong>water-based mobility.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-dominant-color=\"c6dfed\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #c6dfed;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"621\" height=\"374\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/10\/inland-waterways-on-the-rise.webp\" alt=\"inland-waterways-on-the-rise\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-58037\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/10\/inland-waterways-on-the-rise.webp 621w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/10\/inland-waterways-on-the-rise-300x181.webp 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 621px) 100vw, 621px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Issues &amp; Challenges Facing India\u2019s Maritime Sector<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Fragmented Governance and Outdated Legislation:<\/strong> The maritime sector is governed by multiple laws, some dating back to the 19th century, such as the <strong>Indian Ports Act, 1908.<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Recent reforms like the <strong>Indian Ports Bill, 2025<\/strong> aim to modernize governance, but concerns remain over centralization of power and erosion of federal balance.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Underperformance of Non-Major Ports:<\/strong> A <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/07-01-2025\/niti-aayog-10-years\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/07-01-2025\/niti-aayog-10-years\">NITI Aayog<\/a><\/strong> study highlights that non-major ports lack adequate infrastructure, skilled manpower, and connectivity, limiting their contribution to national trade.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Many of these ports operate below capacity and struggle with regulatory bottlenecks.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Infrastructure and Logistics Bottlenecks: <\/strong>Several port projects face delays in land acquisition, environmental clearances, and inter-agency coordination, despite several initiatives.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Inland waterway development is progressing slowly, affecting multimodal logistics efficiency.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Environmental and Sustainability Concerns:<\/strong> Ports are under pressure to adopt green technologies, but implementation of shore power, waste management, and emission controls remains uneven.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The push for <strong>green hydrogen hubs at Paradip, Tuticorin, and Kandla<\/strong> is promising but still in early stages.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Limited Domestic Shipping Capacity:<\/strong> India\u2019s shipping fleet is relatively small compared to global standards, leading to heavy reliance on foreign vessels for cargo movement.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Tax disparities and lack of incentives have discouraged domestic shipbuilding and fleet expansion.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Skill Gaps and Maritime Education:<\/strong> Maritime training institutions need modernization to meet international standards.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>There\u2019s a shortage of skilled professionals in areas like port operations, marine engineering, and logistics management.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Security and Strategic Vulnerabilities: <\/strong>Maritime security challenges include piracy, illegal fishing, and geopolitical tensions in the Indian Ocean Region.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Coordination among coastal states and agencies remains a work in progress.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Related Efforts &amp; Initiatives<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Strategic Investments and Schemes: <\/strong>Under <strong>Maritime India Vision (MIV) 2030<\/strong>, India plans investments worth <strong>\u20b93\u20133.5 lakh crore<\/strong> across ports, shipping, and inland waterways. <strong>Key financial pillars <\/strong>include:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Maritime Development Fund (MDF):<\/strong> \u20b925,000 crore corpus for long-term shipping finance.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Shipbuilding Financial Assistance Scheme (SBFAS):<\/strong> \u20b924,736 crore to offset domestic cost disadvantages.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Shipbuilding Development Scheme (SbDS):<\/strong> \u20b919,989 crore for greenfield clusters and yard expansions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Indian Ship Technology Centre (ISTC):<\/strong> \u20b9305 crore facility in Visakhapatnam for R&amp;D, design, and skills.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Sagarmala Programme: <\/strong>It is a <strong>flagship component<\/strong> of MIV 2030 and the <strong>Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047<\/strong>, aims to cut logistics costs, enhance port-led development, and create jobs.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Out of <strong>840 projects worth \u20b95.8 lakh crore<\/strong>, <strong>272 projects (\u20b91.41 lakh crore)<\/strong> have been completed, while <strong>217 projects (\u20b91.65 lakh crore)<\/strong> are underway \u2014 transforming India\u2019s coastal and logistics infrastructure.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Boosting the Northeast and Tourism: <\/strong>Over <strong>\u20b91,000 crore<\/strong> has been invested in inland waterway infrastructure in the <strong>Northeast<\/strong>, with luxury cruise ships worth <strong>\u20b9250 crore<\/strong> being built for <strong>Assam\u2019s Brahmaputra River<\/strong> under the <strong>Cruise Bharat Mission<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047: <\/strong>It charts a long-term roadmap with <strong>\u20b980 lakh crore investments<\/strong> targeting <strong>green ports, sustainable shipping, digital logistics<\/strong>, and <strong>shipbuilding innovation<\/strong>. Key initiatives include:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Green corridors<\/strong> and <strong>methanol-fueled vessels;<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Green hydrogen bunkering<\/strong> at major ports;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Over <strong>300 actionable initiatives<\/strong> to make India a global maritime leader by <strong>2047.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Other Notable Projects:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Greenfield Port at Bahuda (Odisha):<\/strong> 150 MTPA capacity, \u20b921,500 crore investment.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Water Metro Project (Patna):<\/strong> Electric ferry system worth \u20b9908 crore.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>SCI\u2013Oil PSU JV:<\/strong> Strengthening India\u2019s vessel ownership.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Lighthouse Museum (Lothal, Gujarat):<\/strong> \u20b9266 crore cultural project.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>NMPA Initiatives:<\/strong> 8 major projects including a <strong>150-bed hospital (\u20b9107 crore)<\/strong> and a <strong>dedicated cruise gate<\/strong> for international tourists.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/national\/when-global-seas-are-rough-world-looks-for-a-steady-lighthouse-pm-modi-at-maritime-leaders-conclave\/article70216840.ece\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source: TH<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><strong>Context<\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">Recently, the Prime Minister of India, addressing the Maritime Leaders\u2019 Conclave during India Maritime Week 2025, declared that India\u2019s maritime sector has undergone \u2018historic progress\u2019, positioning the nation as a rising force in global maritime trade.<\/li>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><strong>About the India\u2019s Maritime Sector<\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">Nearly 95% of India\u2019s trade by volume and about 70% by value moves through maritime routes.<\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">In FY 2024\u201325, major ports handled about 855 million tonnes of cargo, signaling robust growth in maritime trade and port efficiency.<\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">The Maritime India Vision 2030 charts 150+ initiatives with projected investments of \u20b93\u20133.5 lakh crore, supported by a recent \u20b969,725 crore package for shipbuilding.<\/li>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/30-10-2025\/indian-maritime-sector-has-seen-historic-progress-pm-modi\" class=\"btn btn-primary btn-sm float-end\">Read\u00a0More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-58009","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-current-affairs"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/58009","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=58009"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/58009\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":58159,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/58009\/revisions\/58159"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=58009"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=58009"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=58009"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}