India’s Maritime Infrastructure Expansion

India is embarking on an ambitious maritime development program, with a focus on enhancing port efficiency, inland waterways, and sustainability. These efforts align with global trends where nations are investing in maritime infrastructure to boost trade and economic growth.

Key Maritime Initiatives in India

1. Target for Maritime Projects: India aims to complete 150 key maritime projects by September 2025.
2. Investment in Inland Waterways: The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) will invest ₹100 crores to enhance infrastructure on three national waterways in Jammu & Kashmir (Chenab, Jhelum, and Ravi).
3. Port Operations Efficiency: The Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW) is pushing for increased efficiency at ports and will establish a new entity, India Ports Services Limited (IPSL), to streamline services.
4. Shipbuilding Goals: India aspires to become one of the top five shipbuilding nations by 2047, with plans to increase shipbuilding capacity by an additional four million gross registered tonnage (GRT).
5. Bharat Container Shipping Line: The establishment of the Bharat Container Shipping Line under the Shipping Corporation of India aims to reduce dependence on foreign shipping.
6. Coastal Green Shipping Corridor: A Coastal Green Shipping Corridor will be developed along the Kandla-Tuticorin route to promote eco-friendly maritime transport.
7. Green Initiatives for Ports: Major ports will be required to introduce at least one Green Tug within the next three months to enhance sustainability.
8. Mumbai International Cruise Terminal: Expected to begin operations by April 2025, further supporting India’s cruise tourism sector.
9. Sagarmala Digital Centre of Excellence: This center will be set up in collaboration with C-DAC to modernize digital infrastructure in the maritime sector.

Key Data Summary

Category	Details
Target Completion for 150 Projects	September 2025
Investment in Inland Waterways	₹100 crores
National Waterways Covered	Chenab, Jhelum, Ravi
New Port Entity	India Ports Services Limited (IPSL)
Shipbuilding Target Year	2047
Shipbuilding Capacity Increase	4 million GRT
Bharat Container Shipping Line	New initiative to reduce foreign shipping dependence
Coastal Green Shipping Corridor	Kandla-Tuticorin
Green Tug Implementation Deadline	Three months
Mumbai Cruise Terminal Operation	April 2025
Sagarmala Digital Centre Partner	C-DAC

Similar Maritime Projects in Other Regions

India’s maritime ambitions align with similar global projects aimed at improving port infrastructure, logistics efficiency, and sustainable shipping. Here are notable examples:

Asia

1. China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI):
   • A large-scale infrastructure project enhancing global trade routes, with major investments in port development and maritime logistics.
2. Vietnam’s Port Expansion:
   • Investment in deep-water ports along the southern coast to support increasing trade and logistics capacity.

Europe

1. EU’s Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T):
   • Aims to modernize transport modes across Europe, including port upgrades for better connectivity.
2. UK’s Port Development Strategy:
   • Focuses on strengthening post-Brexit maritime trade by upgrading ports and logistics operations.

North America

1. U.S. Port Modernization Program:
   • Investment in upgrading major ports to improve efficiency and cargo handling.
2. Canada’s Ocean Protection Plan:
   • Enhances marine safety, environmental protection, and port infrastructure.

Australia

1. National Freight and Supply Chain Strategy:
   • Aims to enhance port efficiency and improve freight transportation networks.

Middle East

1. UAE’s Maritime Expansion:
   • Major investments in ports such as Dubai Port World (DP World) to strengthen global shipping operations.

Africa

1. Tanzania’s Port Expansion:
   • Development at Dar es Salaam and Bagamoyo to improve trade routes for landlocked East African nations.

Conclusion

India’s maritime expansion aligns with global efforts to enhance port infrastructure, efficiency, and sustainability. As India moves forward with its ambitious plans, it joins a broader movement where countries recognize the crucial role of maritime logistics in economic development and global trade.