Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated India’s first made-in-India shipping container, marking a milestone for the maritime industry. Unveiled by A.P. Moller – Maersk at the Inland Container Depot in Dadri, the project reflects India’s self-reliance model, Atmanirbhar Bharat, and showcases the country’s commitment to quality and global standards.
India is set to launch a major ship recycling initiative, targeting the recycling of nearly 16,000 vessels over the next decade with an $8 billion investment. This initiative emphasizes sustainable practices, aims to enhance maritime industrial growth, and ensures compliance with international environmental standards to boost India’s global recycling market share.
The Directorate General of Maritime Affairs (DGMA) has launched an investigation into the case of Rakesh Chauhan, an Indian seafarer whose remains were returned with missing organs. Following a request from the Indian Embassy in Venezuela, the DGMA is verifying facts and has appointed surveyors for an independent inquiry.
Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) plans to invest $1.4 billion in India’s port infrastructure, the largest foreign private investment in the sector. However, the Kerala government expressed strong displeasure over being excluded from consultations. Adani Ports will sell a 49% stake in Vizhinjam port while retaining a 51% stake.
India and the EU have made significant progress in ship recycling collaboration, with three Indian facilities now compliant with EU regulations. Following discussions between Indian Minister Sonowal and EU Commissioner Roswall, over 30 Indian yards have applied for recognition. India aims to recycle 16,000 ships in the next decade, enhancing sustainability.
During a high-level roundtable in Mumbai, the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) reaffirmed India’s commitment to seafarer welfare. Key discussions, involving industry leaders and maritime unions, focused on enhancing policies for accountability and inclusivity, addressing challenges like safety and shore leave, and emphasizing continuous skill development in a digitalized maritime landscape.
Maharashtra is developing a ₹20,000-crore greenfield shipbuilding cluster at Dighi in Raigad, spearheaded by Mazagon Dock. The site’s strategic location near port infrastructure and its extensive industrial land aim to bolster India’s shipbuilding capabilities, attracting investments and enhancing maritime services essential for a robust manufacturing hub.
Adani Ports has sold a 49% stake in Vizhinjam Port to MSC Group for approximately $1.4 billion. This strategic deal positions MSC within a key Indian transshipment hub, enhancing the port’s capacity to handle large container volumes and reducing reliance on foreign facilities, while reinforcing Adani’s market position.
India and Seychelles have strengthened maritime cooperation by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the mutual recognition of seafarers’ training and certification. This agreement, a result of Prime Minister Modi’s visit, enables qualified Indian seafarers to work on Seychelles-flagged vessels, enhancing employment opportunities and aligning with global maritime standards.
Immigration officials at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport recently apprehended six individuals over two months for attempting to travel abroad with counterfeit seafarer documents. These fraudulent papers, allegedly issued by the Directorate General of Shipping, aimed to secure jobs in the UK, Europe, and the Middle East, suggesting an organized crime network.
South Korea is preparing for a second wave of investments in India, focusing on shipbuilding and defence manufacturing. This shift signifies an evolution in bilateral ties, as South Korean firms venture beyond traditional sectors. With India aiming for self-reliance, collaboration in these areas offers significant potential for growth and technological transfer.
The cargo vessel Sitthaa reported flooding off the Indian Coast near Tiruchendur. In response, the Indian Coast Guard dispatched the Atulya to assist. A specialized team boarded the Sitthaa, addressing the flooding and conducting emergency repairs. After stabilizing the situation, the vessel was escorted to port for further inspection.
Rakesh Chauhan, a 33-year-old Indian seafarer from Deoria, tragically died in Venezuela from cardiac arrest. His family, shocked by the absence of vital organs during a post-mortem in India, is demanding accountability from Venezuelan authorities. The Forward Seafarers’ Union of India is advocating for justice and further investigation.
The Directorate General of Shipping has lifted restrictions on Indian vessels navigating the Strait of Hormuz, easing concerns for shipowners engaged in Gulf trade. This change reflects an improved risk assessment, allowing standard operations to resume and enhancing cargo movement in a crucial maritime chokepoint for oil and goods.
Mumbai’s SHM Global has been acknowledged for its pioneering indigenous lifeboat development, aligning with Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat. At the Indian Register of Shipping ceremony, MD Praveen K. Mishra praised the KISS 700 and PN95FA lifeboats, emphasizing SHM’s role in enhancing India’s maritime self-reliance and safety standards.
