Weekly News Roundup: India’s Commitment to Sustainability

The week from 02 – 08 Dec 2024, significant strides in India’s maritime sector are highlighted, showcasing the nation’s ambition to become a global leader by 2047. Key initiatives such as the three-year subsidy program for inland water freight and the launch of the Harit Sagar Green Port Guidelines signal a commitment to environment, sustainability and efficiency. As India navigates its maritime future, global developments mirror similar trends, emphasizing innovation and inclusivity within the industry.

Indian Maritime Sector

India Poised to Become Global Leader in Maritime Sector by 2047

India is on track to become a global maritime leader, with plans to boost cargo handling capacity and develop a strong shipbuilding industry. Minister Sonowal predicts India will be a top ten maritime nation by 2047. Read More

India Announces Three-Year Subsidy Program to Boost Inland Water Freight Transport

The government plans to offer three-year subsidies to cargo owners for transporting goods through inland waterways, aiming to increase freight movement in India from the current 2%. A 35% subsidy is planned for river transport on specific national waterways. Read More

Indian Ports Achieve Significant Reduction in Ship Turnaround Time

Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal reported a significant 48.65% decrease in average ship turnaround time at major Indian ports. This improvement is credited to enhanced efficiency, digitalization, and infrastructure development. Read More

Harit Sagar Green Port Guidelines Launched to Promote Sustainability in India’s Major Ports

Union Minister for Ports launched the “Harit Sagar” Green Port Guidelines to reduce carbon intensity at ports, offering incentives for sustainability and environmental compliance monitoring by State Pollution Control Boards. Read More

Cruise Bharat Mission to Boost India’s Cruise Tourism and Job Creation by 2029

The Cruise Bharat Mission aims to boost cruise tourism in India, targeting one million passengers and 400,000 jobs by 2029. The mission includes financial incentives, relaxing cabotage laws, and establishing a special fund. Read More

Maritime Markets

UK to Invest in Maritime Clusters to Boost Economy and Create Jobs

The UK government has allocated nearly $1 million in funding to support nine maritime clusters, aiming to boost local economies, connect businesses with the industry, and attract more individuals to the maritime sector. Read More

Maritime Innovations

World’s First Wind-Powered PCTC with Wind Tunnel Tests in Gothenburg

Wallenius Marine in Sweden is conducting advanced wind tunnel tests to build the world’s first wind-powered PCTC. The tests aim to confirm the ship’s design and develop new data simulation models. Read More

World’s First CO2 Transport Ship Unveiled for Sustainable Solutions

The Northern Lights JV has received the first CO2 transport ship designed to transport liquefied CO2 from Europe to the Northern Lights terminal in Norway, marking a significant milestone in commercial CO2 transport and storage. Read More

Maritime Regulations

IMO Adopts Guidelines on Fair Treatment of Seafarers

The third meeting of the Joint ILO-IMO Tripartite Working Group in Geneva adopted Guidelines on Fair Treatment of Seafarers detained in connection with alleged crimes, which will be presented to the IMO Legal Committee in March 2025. Read More

Maritime Technologies

ClassNK Launches New E-Learning Courses on Maritime Cyber Security

ClassNK has launched new E-Learning courses on maritime cyber security, aiming to deepen participants’ knowledge and skills and better protect ship systems amid increasing cyber-attack risks in the maritime industry. Read More

Environment Protection

France Launches First Hydrogen-Powered River Vessel for Sustainable Transport

The Sogestran Group unveiled France’s first hydrogen-powered river vessel, the Zulu 06, showcasing a new clean business model for urban waterway transportation on the Seine in Paris. Read More

Optimizing Port Arrivals Could Cut Ship Emissions by Up to 25%

UCL and UMAS found that optimizing port arrivals could reduce ship emissions by 25%, with container ships and bulkers benefiting significantly from decreased congestion. Read More

Seafarers Work and Welfare

Seafarers in Philippines Demand Transparency in Magna Carta IRR

Seafarers in the Philippines raised concerns about transparency issues related to the drafting of the IRR of the Magna Carta for Filipino Seafarers, urging the involved official to step back for credibility. Read More

Indian Coast Guard Rescues 12 Seafarers in Arabian Sea Amid Rough Seas

The Indian Coast Guard rescued 12 seafarers in collaboration with the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency, highlighting the commitment to maritime safety in the region. Read More

PhD Research on Seafarers’ Work/Rest Hours Reveals Compliance Discrepancies in Shipping Industry

Research by Bikram S. Bhatia revealed discrepancies in work/rest hour reporting within the shipping industry, emphasizing the need for systemic changes to enhance safety and fairness. Read More

Gender Diversity

Survey Reveals Urgent Need for Diversity and Inclusion in Maritime Industry

A survey highlighted alarming rates of harassment among women and LGBTQ+ members, stressing the need for DEI training among senior ranks to foster inclusivity in the maritime sector. Read More

Miscellaneous

Seafarer Welfare Highlighted at Mumbai ISWAN Seminar

Mumbai hosted the ISWAN seminar 2024, focusing on seafarers’ welfare and industry collaboration to address pertinent issues like family support, fraudulent crew agents, and decarbonization impacts. Read More

Bali Jatra Festival Celebrated in UK

The Bali Jatra festival, celebrating Odisha’s maritime legacy, was celebrated in the UK, attracting over 500 attendees and featuring dignitaries and cultural figures from the UK and India. Read More

Captain Ian Finley Awarded IMO Prize for Lifetime of Service

Captain Ian Finley received the 2023 International Maritime Prize for his legislative work and dedication to maritime advancement. Read More

Seafarer Welfare Highlighted at Mumbai ISWAN Seminar

The ISWAN seminar in Mumbai, held at the Maritime Training Institute, focused on seafarer welfare, family support, and industry collaboration. Read More

Conclusion

In conclusion, the recent advancements in the maritime sector, both in India and globally, underscore a collective push towards sustainability, efficiency, and inclusivity. As nations invest in innovative practices and policies, the maritime industry is poised for a transformative journey that will redefine its future, benefitting economies and communities alike.