Lok Sabha Question No. 1331 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-09
Subject: Coastal Shipping Policy
Ministry: PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
Asked by: Nalin Kumar Kateel, Rajendra Dhedya  Gavit, Ravindra Kushawaha, Satyadev Pachauri, Tapir Gao, Bharatiben Dhirubhai Shyal, Shankar Lalwani, Umesh G. Jadhav

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1331

ANSWERED ON 09.02.2024

## COASTAL SHIPPING POLICY

1331.  SHRI NALIN KUMAR KATEEL:

SHRI RAJENDRA DHEDYA GAVIT:

SHRI RAVINDRA KUSHWAHA:

SHRI SATYADEV PACHAURI:

SHRI TAPIR GAO:

DR. BHARATIBEN DHIRUBHAI SHIYAL:

SHRI SHANKAR LALWANI:

DR. UMESH G. JADHAV:

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

## पȅन , पोत पįरवहन और जलमागŊ मंũी

- (a) whether there is any proposal to bring a Coastal Shipping policy in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the  details  of  the  percentage  increase  in  the  cargo  handling  in  the  national waterways;
- (d) whether the Government has set any target for the ministry under the AmritKaal Vision; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a)  &  (b)  The  Ministry  of  Ports,  Shipping  and  Waterways  is  actively  pursuing  the promotion  of  coastal  shipping  as  an  energy-efficient  and  cost-effective  mode  of transport.    In  this  regard,  the  Government  has  taken  following  measures  to  enhance coastal shipping:
- (i) Under the Sagarmala Programme, 15 projects worth Rs. 849 crores have been completed for the development of coastal berths, Ro-Ro/ Ro-Pax Jetties/Passengers Jetties.
- (ii) Licensing relaxation under section 407 of the Merchant Shipping Act is given to container vessels for carrying EXIM  containers and empty  containers at transshipment ports for outbound transport; and to foreign flag vessels carrying agricultural,  fisheries,  horticultural,  fertilizers  and  animal  produce  commodities subject  to  the  condition  that  these  commodities  constitute  at  least  50%  of  the cargo on board the ship at the beginning of the coastal leg.
- (iii) A discount of 40% is offered by major ports on vessel and cargo related charges to coastal cargo vessels.
- (iv) Priority berthing policy for coastal vessels has been notified to reduce turnaround time for coastal vessels and improve their utilization.
- (v) Reduction of GST on bunker fuels used in Indian Flag Vessels from 18% to 5%.
- (vi) Green  channel  clearance  introduced  for  faster  evacuation  of  coastal  cargo  at ports.
- (vii) Allowed  reimbursement  of  freight  subsidy  on  primary  movement  of  subsidized urea and P&K fertilizers by coastal shipping or inland water transportation.
- (viii) The projects for improvement in the first and last mile road and rail connectivity with all the major and non-major ports have also been identified for faster cargo movement. The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways is working with the Ministry of Railways and Ministry of Road Transport and Highways to implement these projects.

(c) Cargo handled by National Waterways has increased by 700% in 2022-23 compared to the cargo handled by National Waterways in 2013-14.

(d) & (e) Under the AmritKaal Vision Government plans to increase the coastal cargo volumes  transported  in  the  country  to  1300  MTPA  and  more  than  500  MTPA  by National Waterways.

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