India has elevated its maritime security status from MARSEC Level 1 to Level 2 due to rising tensions with Pakistan. This change mandates enhanced surveillance, stricter access controls, and unannounced security drills for Indian-flagged vessels, emphasizing urgent compliance to counter potential threats and cyberattacks in the maritime sector.
India is set to inaugurate its first domestic coastal green shipping corridor, connecting Kandla with Thoothukudi. This initiative aims to decarbonize maritime logistics and is expected to be operational within six months. Ports will promote green fuels, including methanol, to power retrofitted vessels, advancing sustainable maritime practices.
During his visit, Shantanu Thakur, the Foreign Minister for Häfen, Shipping, and Waterways, engaged stakeholders at Visakhapatnam Port Authority. He praised their collaborative projects and urged exploration in shipbuilding and cruise tourism. Thakur highlighted green initiatives aligning with the Prime Minister’s vision and underscored community development through CSR programs for tribal youth.
Gurugram-based logistics-tech startup Shiplog has raised ₹6.5 crore in a seed round led by the Deepak Bhagnani Family Office. This marks its first funding since launching in 2022. The capital will enhance its tech infrastructure and expand its team, focusing on AI-driven inventory management for optimized last-mile delivery solutions.
The Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) has opened a new office in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, enhancing its support for the Kingdom’s maritime and oil & gas sectors. This strategic expansion will improve service delivery to local clients, offering services like ship classification, inspections, and compliance audits, reinforcing IRS’s regional presence.
The V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority has achieved a key milestone with the North Cargo Berth–III, now operational for interim commercial use. Managed by JSW Tuticorin, it efficiently handles dry-bulk cargo using two 120-tonne cranes. The berth can accommodate vessels up to 95,000 deadweight tons, enhancing maritime trade significantly.
India’s coastline has been officially revised to 11,098.81 km, marking a 47% increase from the previous 7,561.60 km. This change, driven by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways using modern Electronic Navigation Charts, reflects detailed coastal features and includes 1,298 previously unaccounted offshore islands, enhancing maritime data accuracy.
The renovated “Hydraulic Power House” in Chennai’s port area is set to become a museum, highlighting the city’s maritime heritage. Established in 1881 and built in 1920, it is the harbor’s oldest structure. This project aims to enhance tourism and preserve Chennai’s cultural history by connecting it with nearby historical sites.
The Indian government has formed a three-member group of ministers (GOM) led by Piyush Goyal to evaluate the environmental impact of the ₹76,220 crore Vadhvan Port Project. This group will assess a report from the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) to address concerns raised by environmental groups.
The Kolkata port has initiated night navigation on the Hooghly River, significantly cutting vessel wait times and improving efficiency. The first successful night transit was the container ship MV Sinarpenida, enhancing operational flow. Modern navigation technologies and illuminated infrastructure support this advancement, promising increased daily ship throughput at the port.
India has effectively closed its maritime routes with Pakistan, aiming to diplomatically and economically isolate its neighbor following allegations of Pakistan’s involvement in a terrorist attack in Pahalgam. Citing the Merchant Shipping Act, India has banned vessels flying the Pakistani flag from its ports, intensifying existing restrictions.
Adani Ports & SEZ Ltd plans a ₹13,000 crore investment to expand the Vizhinjam International Deepwater Seaport. Prime Minister Modi inaugurated the project, with the second phase set for completion by 2028. The expansion will increase capacity from 1 million to 5 million TEUs, enhancing India’s maritime capabilities significantly.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Vizhinjam port, a ₹8,900 crore project, emphasizing its role in enhancing India’s maritime security. He highlighted the port as a catalyst for regional development, boosting trade and economic growth, while creating employment opportunities and improving logistics efficiency for larger cargo ships in global trade.
The Indian government has eliminated the Rs 40 crore cap on financial assistance for non-specialized shipbuilding, maintaining a 14% aid rate until March 2026. This change supports local shipbuilders amid rising global costs, fostering high-value projects and job creation, while extending delivery deadlines for multi-vessel contracts.
The Odisha government is set to launch the Dhamara-Talachua Ro-Pax ferry service on National Waterway No. 5, greatly enhancing inland connectivity. This initiative will reduce travel distance from 200 km by road to just 7 km by river, benefiting trade, tourism, and regional access with the new vessel, M.V. Bhupen Hazarika.
