Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal Announces Ship-Building Clusters in Five Indian States

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal announced the establishment of shipbuilding and repair clusters in five states, including Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, and Maharashtra. These initiatives are part of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways' strategic plan to enhance India's maritime capabilities. The clusters will also be set up in Kerala and Odisha, marking a significant step in the ministry's agenda during the first 100 days of the NDA government's third term.

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The ministry aims to boost container handling to 40 million TEUs within five years, creating 2 million jobs nationwide. Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) plans to increase its capacity from 6.6 million TEUs to 10 million TEUs soon. This expansion will make JNPA the first Indian port to achieve such a milestone in container handling capacity.

Investment and Infrastructure Development

In Deendayal Port Authority and V. O. Chidambaranar Port Trust, 3,900 acres have been allocated for hydrogen manufacturing hubs. This initiative is expected to attract investments exceeding Rs 5 lakh crore in the coming years. Additionally, the International Container Transshipment Port at Galathea Bay on Great Nicobar Island is set to become a major transshipment hub.

The recent notification of Galathea Bay as a major port coincides with the development of Vadhvan Port, marking a new chapter in India's maritime history. Vadhvan Port is poised to become one of the largest all-weather deep-water ports with a capacity of 298 MMTPA. It is expected to create 1.2 million jobs and elevate an Indian port into the top 10 global container ports.

Maritime Vision and Global Expansion

MoPSW Secretary T K Ramachandran highlighted key reforms undertaken by the ministry in its first 100 days, including establishing the Indian Maritime Centre and the Indian International Maritime Dispute Resolution Centre. These efforts aim to strengthen India's position as a leader in maritime infrastructure and logistics.

"We are on track to achieve the ambitious goals of the Maritime India Vision 2030 and Maritime Amritkaal Vision 2047," Ramachandran stated. These visions focus on sustainable growth, improved connectivity, and enhancing business ease. He also mentioned that operations at Chabahar port have been successfully operationalised following a contract signed by India.

Green Initiatives and Global Outreach

MoPSW additional secretary Rajesh Kumar Sinha revealed that the ministry is considering incentives for vessels using green fuel. This proposal aligns with India's commitment to sustainable maritime practices. Meanwhile, India Ports Global Ltd (IPGL) is expanding its reach by taking over operations at several terminals in Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and Bangladesh.

The ministry's comprehensive approach aims to bolster India's maritime infrastructure while fostering international collaborations. These initiatives are expected to significantly enhance shipping connectivity, reduce transit times, and lower costs for global trade partners.