India’s Maritime Trade Remains Strong Amid Global Shipping Challenges

India’s maritime trade is not facing a container shortage, as confirmed by Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal during a session in the Rajya Sabha. Sonowal attributed recent challenges to the Red Sea crisis and its impact on global shipping. He mentioned that the Directorate General of Shipping is advocating for the ownership and operation of containers by Indian entities as a long-term solution to the issue.

The Red Sea crisis, which occurred from late 2023 to early 2024, resulted in a significant diversion of ships from the Suez Canal to the Cape of Good Hope, leading to a 35 to 40 per cent increase in transit times. This diversion caused delays at major global ports and raised charter hire costs. Sonowal also highlighted the expansion of port capacities at all 12 major ports in India from 2014-15 to 2023-24, with significant increases reported at ports like Syama Prasad Mookerjee and Paradip.

Overall, Sonowal emphasized that the total capacity of Indian ports has increased by 87.01 per cent, showcasing the government’s dedication to enhancing maritime infrastructure. The minister’s reassurance in the face of recent challenges reflects the government’s commitment to addressing issues in the maritime trade sector and ensuring smooth operations for Indian entities involved in international trade.

Source .