India aims to lead Global Maritime sector with the success of PM Maritime Amritkaal Vision: Sarbananda Sonowal

India’s Ports working towards transformation to be at the Top 25 ports in the world: Sarbananda Sonowal

Sonowal chairs Mid Term Review Meet to assess 162 projects with an investment of ₹1 trillion 

Comprehensive approach derived for swift execution of the vision at the review meeting

Under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi, India is poised to become global leader in the maritime sector: Sarbananda Sonowal

‘Make in India’ Green Tugs soon from Cochin Shipyard, opening a new vista of opportunities: Sarbananda Sonowal

Development of Green Hydrogen Hub at major ports of Deendayal Port & VO Chidambaranar on course: Sarbananda Sonowal

New Delhi, 17 November, 2023: The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways and Ayush, Sarbananda Sonowal chaired a mid term review meeting here today where top officials of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways participated in the deliberations. The meeting was held to determine a comprehensive approach towards swift and smooth execution of the ‘PM Maritime Amritkaal Vision’ with an ultimate goal to make India the global maritime leader by 2047.

Major programmes of the Ministry including its flagship programmeSagarmala as well as other prominent programmes were reviewed. The meet also inquired about the progress of 162 projects with an investment outlay of ₹1 trillion. The Union Minister of State for Ports, Shipping & Waterways and Tourism, Shripad Naik as well as the Union Minister of State for Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Shantanu Thakur also participated in the deliberations along with the top officials of major Indian ports, various PSUs, as well as other senior officials of the ministry.

Speaking on the occasion, the Union Minister, Sarbananda Sonowal said, “India is standing at an extremely important stage towards becoming a global leader of maritime sector. Under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, the Maritime Amritkaal Vision, 2047 was launched exactly a month ago at the Global Maritime India Summit in Mumbai. The document is a manifestation of Modi ji’s vision towards enabling India’s ports, empowering shipping sector and rejuvenating waterways with an ultimate goal to turn India into global power in the maritime sector. We are working to make our ports break into the top 25 ports of the world. We must stick to the ‘Panch Karma Sankalp’ while aiming to execute the letter and spirit of the Vision Document towards realising the goal of India becoming the global leader in the maritime sector by 2047.” 

The meeting opens up an opportunity to review the holistic progress made under the ‘Panch Karma Sankalp’ announced during the ‘Chintan Shivir’ in May 2023. It is to be noted that during Chintan Shivir 2023 Shri Sonowal promised to take review of mid-year targets and today he acted upon on his promise.

Under the Panch Karma Sankalp announced during Chintan Shivir held JNPA, VOCPA, PPA, and DPA are in the process of finalizing Commercial Terms and Technical Specification with Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL) for awarding the contract for building the Green Tugs.

Adding further, the Union Minister, Sarbananda Sonowal said, “After a tremendous outcome at the GMIS, 2023, where we successfully closed 360 MoUs with an investment of ₹10 trillion, it is now time for their speedy and smooth execution. We are setting up a monthly review mechanism to keep a tab on the progress of all these initiatives as well as timely review of Maritime India Vision 2030 as well as Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, we are focussing on scale and speed of achievements in the Sagarmalaprogramme. Following on the ‘Panch Karma Sankalp,’ we are moving closer towards building ‘Made In India’ Green Tugs at Cochin Shipyard, opening a new vista of opportunities for export. We have also received encouraging response to set up Green Hydrogen Hubs at Deen Dayal port and VO Chidambaranr ports. Similarly, powering our waterways remains a major focus for the ministry as Modi ji direction to revive and rejuvenate inland waterways system to power the economy to reach its next logical destination of becoming world’s top 3 economies.”

Deendayal Port Authority is setting up Green Hydrogen Hubs in which port has received prominent responses from 13 prospective developers against Global EoI. A total of more than 7 MMTPA capacity green Ammonia production has been offered by prospective Developers. The offered development will cater to the domestic and international demand of 1.4 MMTPA of Green Hydrogen .

VO Chidambaranar Port Authority has earmarked 500 acres of land for Green Hydrogen Hub. MoU has been signed between VoCPA and NGEL (Subsidiary of NTPC) for installation of Green Hydrogen/ Derivative Production Facility. Proposal for Grant for developing the common infrastructure to support the green Hydrogen Projects has been submitted to MNRE.

262 projects worth Rs. 2.44 lakh Cr. are under implementation and 310 projects worth Rs. 2.08 Lakh Cr. are under various stages of development. Further, under holistic development of coastal districts, a total of 567 projects with an estimated cost of around Rs. 58,000 Cr have been identified. Under the SagarmalaProgramme, 94 Projects worth Rs. 31,597 Cr. have been completed resulting in capacity addition of more than 230 MTPA.

Development of 16 more NWs have been approved worth Rs. 267 cr. for the period 2022-23 to 2025-26 by the Government. To boost green technology, a proposal for electric propelled technology vessels and hydrogen powered catamaran pax has also been made. 

DGLLto promote lighthouse tourism 75 Lighthouses have been earmarked in which tourism facilities are scheduled to be completed by December 2023. The Coffee Table Book of these 75 lighthouses will be launched by PM Modi in January 2024.

Over the years, the Indian maritime sector witnessed a remarkable transformation because of the strong efforts of the government, industry stakeholders and the unwavering support of our maritime community. MoPSW has embarked on a journey of progress, embracing technological advancements, improving infrastructure, enhancing efficiency, and fostering a conducive business environment. The programs and reform initiatives have been instrumental in enhancing port capacity, facilitating port-led industrialization, enhancing coastal shipping, reviving inland waterways, and making India Atmanirbhar in shipbuilding, repair & recycling. Today’s review meeting held under the leadership of Shri Sarbananda Sonowal has provided the roadmap for better performance of the Ministry and its subsidiaries.