The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW) launched several landmark initiatives to digitally transform India’s maritime sector.
India’s Maritime Sector
- India’s maritime sector handles ~95% of trade by volume and 70% by value, making it vital to the nation’s economy.
- The country operates 12 major and 200+ minor/intermediate ports supporting economic growth.
- In FY 2024, ports handled 819.22 million tonnes of cargo—a 4.45% increase year-on-year.
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1. Digital Centre of Excellence (DCoE)
- Partnership: MoPSW and Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (CDAC)
- Aim: To accelerate digital transformation in the maritime industry through technologies like AI, IoT, and Blockchain.
- Focus on green, sustainable infrastructure, aligned with national maritime goals for 2030 and 2047.
2. SAGAR SETU Platform
- A centralised digital platform which supports EXIM (export-import) operations by integrating over 80 ports and 40 stakeholders.
- Aim: To improve ease of doing business, enhance operational efficiency, and promote paperless processing.
3. DRISHTI Monitoring Framework
- DRISHTI – Data-driven decision support – Review – Institutional Information System for Hastening and Tracking Implementation.
- Built on four pillars: KPI Monitoring, Achievements Tracking, Organisational Monitoring, Functional Cell Oversight.
- Designed to fast-track Maritime India Vision 2030 and Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.
4. Scale of Rates (SOR) for Major Ports
- New uniform tariff structure for all major ports
- Key Features:
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- Ensures transparency and consistency in port tariffs.
- Includes standardized definitions and clear rate conditions.
- Offers local flexibility while maintaining a uniform digital framework.
- Goal: Improve trade efficiency, facilitate better tariff comparison, and boost investor confidence.
Gateway to Green: Assessing Port Readiness for Green Hydrogen Transition in India
- Report published by MoPSW in collaboration with the Indian Ports Association (IPA).
- Outlines a roadmap to transform ports into green hydrogen production, storage, and export hubs.
- Ports like VOC Port, Paradip, Deendayal, JNPT, Mumbai, and Cochin are poised to serve clean energy demands in East Asia and the EU.
Key Initiatives in Maritime Sector
- Maritime India Vision (MIV) 2030: A long-term blueprint to boost India’s maritime sector by developing mega ports, transshipment hubs, and upgrading port infrastructure for global competitiveness and efficient trade.
- Sagarmala Programme: A flagship port-led development initiative leveraging India’s coastline and waterways to enhance infrastructure, improve connectivity, reduce logistics costs, and promote coastal economic growth.
- Major Port Authorities Act, 2021: Grants increased autonomy and flexibility to major ports, enabling faster decision-making, improved efficiency, and greater operational and financial independence.
- National Logistics Portal (Marine): A unified digital platform providing end-to-end logistics services for cargo, shipping, finance, and regulatory compliance, enhancing transparency and operational efficiency in maritime trade.
- Green Tug Transition Program (GTTP) aims to phase out conventional, fuel-based harbour tugs at Indian major ports. These will be replaced with environmentally friendly tugs powered by cleaner, sustainable fuels.
- Inland Waterways Development: The Inland Waterways Authority of India has identified 26 new national waterways to offer a cost-effective, eco-friendly transport alternative and reduce pressure on existing road and rail networks
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