The Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB) organized a Stakeholder Consultation Workshop at Mahatma Mandir, Gandhinagar, focusing on the “Coastal Shipping Policy of Gujarat: Paradigm Shift in Supply Chains.” The event brought together industry leaders, policymakers, academics, and maritime experts to strategize on enhancing coastal shipping in Gujarat and its integration into the national logistics framework. Rajkumar Beniwal, IAS, Vice Chairman and CEO of GMB, inaugurated the workshop, which aimed to gather insights and recommendations from various stakeholders, including State Maritime Boards, Major Port Authorities, Government of India agencies, and key private companies.
Highlighting Gujarat’s significant role in India’s coastal shipping sector, the workshop emphasized its 49 ports managing 19% of the nation’s coastal cargo. It also underscored coastal shipping’s cost-effectiveness and environmental benefits compared to road and rail transport, presenting it as a solution to reducing logistics costs and carbon emissions, mirroring successful systems in China and the EU. The event discussed challenges such as high last-mile logistics costs, infrastructure gaps, and regulatory hurdles, suggesting solutions like developing dedicated coastal berths, enhancing port connectivity, integrating inland waterways, implementing carbon credit systems, and fostering collaboration with other states for sustainable growth.
The Coastal Shipping Bill 2024, recently introduced by the Indian government, was acknowledged as critical to addressing industry challenges and driving growth. The workshop reaffirmed Gujarat’s commitment to establishing itself as a regional maritime hub by improving infrastructure, lowering logistics costs, and promoting eco-friendly cargo movement, aligning with the state’s goal of sustainable economic development. The discussions at the workshop aimed to shape the future of coastal shipping in Gujarat and contribute to the advancement of the maritime industry in the region.
