Why in the news?

• Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, delivered an address at the ‘Revitalizing India’s Maritime Manufacturing Conference’ held in Mumbai as part of India Maritime Week 2025.

Maritime Sector in India

• Performance of Indian Maritime Sector:
  • The maritime sector is vital for India’s international trade, handling about 95% of trade by volume and 70% by value through its vast coastline of over 7,500 km, with 13 major and 200+ minor/intermediate ports.​
  • India ranks as the 16th largest maritime nation and aspires to become a global maritime leader under the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 (MAKV).
  • Plays a vital role in Blue Economy, coastal employment, and national security.
• Major Components:
  • Ports: India has 13 major ports and major initiatives include-
    • PM GatiShakti & Bharatmala for logistics integration.
    • Port Modernisation: Expansion of container terminals, mechanisation of cargo handling.
    • Port-led Industrialization: Coastal Economic Zones (CEZs) under Sagarmala.
  • Shipping: India ranks 20th globally in terms of ship tonnage. Various initiatives to boost shipping are-
    • Shipbuilding Financial Assistance Policy (2016–26)
    • Revised Cabotage Policy to promote coastal shipping.
    • INMARCO, Maritime India Summit, and Global Maritime India Summit 2023 (GMIS) for global engagement.
  • Inland Water Transport: 
    • Governed by the National Waterways Act, 2016 (declared 111 National Waterways).
    • Jal Marg Vikas Project (JMVP): World Bank-supported project on NW-1 (Ganga) from Haldia to Varanasi.
    • Promotes low-cost and eco-friendly freight movement.
  • Coastal Shipping & Cruise Tourism: 
    • Dedicated Coastal Shipping Policy (2023) to boost domestic maritime logistics.
    • Development of Cruise Terminals (Mumbai, Kochi, Chennai, Vizag).
    • India aims to become a global cruise hub by 2047.
• Major Govt Initiatives:
  • Sagarmala Programme: Flagship initiative for port-led development, focused on port modernization, logistics efficiency, coastal employment, and sustainable blue economy. Sagarmala underpins the ambitious targets set by MAKV 2047.​
  • Maritime India Vision 2030: Sets targets for shipbuilding, digital port operations, greener shipping, and increased port throughput.​
  • India’s Maritime Push (2025): Includes a US$20 billion investment roadmap for modernizing infrastructure, developing green hydrogen hub ports (Kandla, Paradip, Tuticorin), and strengthening international maritime corridors and ties.​
  • Green Shipping Initiatives: Harit Sagar Green Port Guidelines, Green Tug Transition Program, and Harit Nauka guidelines drive sustainability and environmental compliance.​​
  • One Nation-One Port Process (ONOP): Standardizes port operations, cuts inefficiencies, and expedites trade logistics.​
  • Sagar Ankalan – Logistics Port Performance Index (LPPI): Benchmarks operational efficiency and global competitiveness of ports.
• Significance of Maritime Sector:
  • The Blue Economy accounts for ~4% of India’s GDP, with potential to reach 12–15%.
    • Focuses on Marine fisheries, seabed mining, coastal tourism, ocean energy, biotechnology.
  • Sustainable Development: Sagarmitra & Swachh Sagar–Surakshit Sagar campaigns for clean coasts.
  • Strategic and Security importance:
    • SAGAR Vision (Security and Growth for All in the Region): India’s Indo-Pacific maritime doctrine.
    • Deep Ocean Mission (2021–26): Exploration of polymetallic nodules & deep-sea biodiversity.
    • Indian Navy’s Role: Ensures sea lane security and acts as a net security provider.
    • Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA): Information Management and Analysis Centre (IMAC), IFC-IOR (Gurugram).
    • Chabahar Port (Iran) and India’s involvement in the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) strengthen India’s strategic maritime footprint.
    • Bharat Global Ports Consortium: Enhances resilience and reach of maritime trade.
• Challenges:
  • High logistics costs (~13–14% of GDP).
  • Ageing port infrastructure and limited draft for large vessels.
  • Fragmented port governance between Centre and States.
  • Limited private participation and low coastal shipping share (only ~7% of total freight).
  • Environmental concerns and marine pollution.
• Way Forward:
  • Integrate MIV 2030 with PM GatiShakti National Master Plan.
  • Promote green and smart ports under Net-Zero India 2070 goals.
  • Strengthen coastal community livelihoods via fisheries and skill training.
  • Boost maritime R&D and indigenisation in shipbuilding and navigation technology.
  • Enhance regional cooperation under IORA, QUAD, and IMEC frameworks.