Lok Sabha Question No. 5735 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-04
Subject: India as Top Maritime Nation
Ministry: PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
Asked by: Shri Arun Bharti

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5735

ANSWERED ON 04.04.2025

## INDIA AS TOP MARITIME NATION

5735.  SHRI ARUN BHARTI:

Will the Minister of PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS be pleased to state:

## पȅन , पोत पįरवहन और जलमागŊ मंũी

- (a) the specific initiatives the Government has outlined in the Maritime Vision 2047 to achieve the goal of becoming one of the top five maritime nations by 2047; (b) the  manner in  which  the  Government  plans  to  enhance port  handling  capacity from 1,600 million metric tonnes to 10,000 million metric tonnes by 2047 along with the details of investments being allocated for this purpose; (c) whether the Ministry has the data of legislative reforms, aimed at boosting India's maritime capabilities, if so, the details thereof; (d) the  measures  being  implemented  to  promote  sustainable  practices  within  the maritime sector, including the development of green ports and clean-fuel shipbuilding; and
- (e) the manner in which the Government ensure that stakeholder consultations are effectively conducted to align national maritime policies with international best practices?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS (SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)

(a)& (b)The government's strategic initiatives seek to position the nation as a leading maritime power by expanding port capacity from about 2,600 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) to nearly 10,000 MTPA by 2047. Key to this strategy is developingnew ports with deeper drafts, increasing draft of the existing ports, establishing port clusters and transshipment hubs, developing automated ports, increasing private sector involvement, and enhancing policy support.

(c) Central  Government  has  introduced  several  legislative  reforms  to  enhance India's maritime capabilities, including the Major Port Authorities Act, 2021, Marine Aids to Navigation Act, 2021, Inland Vessels Act, 2021, Relaxation of Cabotage Rules, 2018, Recycling of Ships Act, 2019, National Waterways Act, 2016, the Policy for the Award of Waterfront and Associated Land to Port-Dependent Industries (Captive Policy), 2016, and Guidelines for Dealing with Stressed Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Projects at Major Ports. (d) Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW) has launched the Green Tug Transition  Programme  (GTTP)  which  aims  to  reduce  carbon  emissions  and  minimize environmental impact by encouraging adoption of environmentally sustainable tugboat operations.  Additionally,  Government  has  launched  HaritSagar  Guideline  for  Major Ports and HaritNauka guidelines for inland vessels which aim to promote the adoption of greener technologies. (e) MoPSW aligns maritime policies with international best practices through  highlevel events like the Global Maritime India Summit, Sagarmathan, ChintanShivir, PostBudget  Industry  Meets,  and  stakeholder  consultations,  fostering  dialogue  among policymakers, industry, and grassroots communities. Regular engagements with global maritime  leaders  and  participation  in  international  forums  ensure  that  India's  policies meet global standards, positioning the country as a key player in the maritime sector.

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