Context:

• This article is based on the news “Global Maritime Summit Modi to unveil blue print for blue economy” which was published in the Mint. The Prime Minister recently unveiled ‘Amrit Kaal Vision 2047’, the long-term blueprint for the Indian maritime blue economy during Global Maritime India Summit 2023 in Mumbai.

Long-term blueprint for the Indian maritime blue economy

• The blueprint outlines strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing port facilities, promoting sustainable practices, and facilitating international collaboration.
• Next Generation Mega Port, International Container Trans-shipment port, island development, inland waterways, and multi-modal hubs would be undertaken under Vision 2047 leading to a reduction in cost of doing business and environmental degradation.

What is blue economy?

• The World Bank defines “blue economy” as “sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods and jobs, while preserving the health of the ocean ecosystem”.
• The concept was introduced by Gunter Pauli in his 2010 book- “The Blue Economy: 10 years, 100 innovations, 100 million jobs”

India’ Maritime Sector 

• India has a unique maritime position. Its 7517 km long coastline is home to nine coastal states and 1382 islands. 
• The country has 12 major ports and 187 non-major ports which handled about 633.87 million tons of cargo in the year 2019. 
• 95% of India’s trade by volume transits by sea. 
• The coastal economy  sustains over 40 lakhs fishermen and other significant populations of coastal communities. 

Also read: Ocean Resources and its potential

What are the challenges of the maritime sector in india?

• Weak oceanic governance: India does not have a specific organizational framework or complete/comprehensive regulations relating to granting of permissions, leasing, evaluation and monitoring of offshore activities such as exploration, transport, storage, etc.
• Marine Pollution: Pollution from industrial waste, agricultural runoff, plastic debris, and oil spills adversely affects marine life, degrade habitats, and disrupt the entire marine food chain.
• Low productivity of Indian ports: Indian ports have long struggled with capacity limitations and low productivity, leading to higher freight costs and slower turnaround times. 
  • In comparison to global standards, Indian ports have a significantly higher turnaround time, averaging 62.16 hours, whereas ports in Japan (8.16 hours), Taiwan (10.56 hours), and Hong Kong (12.48 hours) have considerably better performance. 
  • This poor planning has resulted in a lack of port expansion to keep up with the rising cargo traffic, further exacerbating the challenges faced by Indian ports.
• Non-traditional security challenges: The Indian Ocean has an unstable littoral and a northern periphery comprising countries experiencing conflict/in-conflict situations. 
  • Preventing the tensions in the neighboring waters from spilling into the Indian Ocean remains a concern. Ex- Growing operations of the Chinese navy as it patrols regularly in the Indian Ocean. 
  • There is strong nexus between the Pakistani and the Chinese navies.Pakistan has declared its intention to put its nuclear weapons at sea which raises the prospect of nuclear weapons falling into the hands of Jihadis.
• Illegal, unreported and unregulated(IUU) fishing: Illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing continues to rise beyond India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
  • According to the Indian Navy, more than 200 Chinese fishing vessels have been monitored in the Indian Ocean. 
  • IUU fishing depleted fish stocks, destroys marine habitats, puts fishermen at disadvantage and impacts coastal communities, especially in developing countries.
• Lack of technology: India lacks the necessary technology to fully reap the benefits of blue economy such as adequate port facilities, maritime transportation, and monitoring systems for sustainable resource management

Way Forward

•  5-point agenda for enhancing maritime cooperation: It should be implemented to ensure maritime security and Cooperation: 
  • Removal of barriers to legitimate maritime trade
  • Resolution of maritime disputes peacefully in accordance with international law
  • Fight threats from natural disasters, non-state actors
  • Conservation of marine resources
  • Promoting responsible maritime connectivity
• Framing National Coastal Marine Spatial Planning Framework: Scientific and accurate mapping of India’s coastal zones will lead to integrated coastal and marine Spatial plans. 
• Plastic Elimination and National Marine Litter policy: It should address the growing menace of marine pollution specially from plastics and micro-plastics.
  • The National Coastal Mission, being proposed by Ministry of Environment and Forests and Climate Change should be integrated with the Blue Economy activities. 
• Sustainable fishing: Setting up a national level “Institute for Marine Biotechnology” focusing on non-food sector for generation of new technologies to tap the immense potential for commercialization should be expedited. 
  • Legislation should be brought for  comprehensive management and regulation of marine fisheries and for management of aquatic diseases and ocean health. 
• Integrated Framework for Ocean Security, Strategic Dimensions and International Engagements: Multilayer surveillance and security in the Indian Ocean should be enhanced through domestic manufacturing and procurement. 
  • Coastal and marine security should be strengthened through formulation of a comprehensive and implementation in partnership with the states. 
• National Blue Economy Council: It should be the Apex body to integrate planning process between various stakeholders in the Central, State and local Governments. 
• • It would also include representatives from industry, research organizations and policy advocacy groups.
• Blue Diplomacy: There is an urgent need to evolve a seamless governance structure for the environmental management of all ocean resource-minerals, deep sea fishery resources, offshore energy development etc. in India.