India’s Shipping Ministry is on a mission to complete 150 projects by September 2025, with a focus on shipbuilding, green shipping, and digital solutions for maritime infrastructure. This initiative is aimed at unlocking the potential of India’s Blue Economy. Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal recently reviewed ongoing projects worth USD 2 trillion and set a target to complete these projects after consulting with experts. The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways organized a two-day event in Srinagar called ‘Chintan Shivir, 2025’ to evaluate, reset, discover, and apply solutions to maximize the Blue Economy’s potential.
The event emphasized strengthening India’s shipbuilding and repair capabilities, improving financial and digital solutions for maritime infrastructure, and promoting a greener and more sustainable shipping industry. The focus was on achieving targets outlined in the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047. Sonowal reiterated India’s vision to be among the top 5 shipbuilding nations by 2047, with an additional shipbuilding capacity of 4 million Gross Registered Tonnage (GRT). He also directed the formulation of policies and skill development initiatives, along with encouraging collaboration with state governments.
As part of the initiative, Bharat Container Shipping Line will be established under the Shipping Corporation of India (SCI). Major ports will tender for at least 1 Green Tug within the next 3 months, and a Coastal Green Shipping Corridor will be developed, with the Kandla-Tuticorin corridor being the first to be established in partnership with SCI, Deendayal Port Authority (DPA), and VO Chidambaranar Port Authority (VoCPA). The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) will invest Rs 100 crore in 3 National Waterways in Jammu & Kashmir to enhance inland water transport and connectivity in the region. Sonowal expressed the goal of expanding the shipbuilding industry to construct ships with an additional Gross Registered Tonnage (GRT) of 4 million tons.
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