Government Initiatives

Some of the major initiatives taken by the government to promote the ports sector in India are as follows:

• In December 2021, India and Russia are talking about collaborating on shipbuilding and inland waterways.
• In November 2021, the Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways & Ayush, Mr. Sarbananda Sonowal, inaugurated the new Radars and Vessel Traffic Management System of Cochin Port Trust. The VTMS (Vessel Traffic Management System) commissioned in Cochin Port in 2009 has been upgraded with a state-of-the-art system consisting two new radars, one AIS Base station, three VHF Radios and associated software & hardware installed at a cost of Rs. 5.8 crore (US$ 772,161.66).
• In November 2021, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping & Waterways and Ayush, Mr. Sarbananda Sonowal, inaugurated the simultaneous launching of five vessels at Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL).
• In November 2021, the Union Minister of Culture and Tourism, Mr. G Kishan Reddy, announced that the centre has sanctioned Rs. 100 crore (US$ 13.31 million) for the Visakhapatnam port cruise terminal.
• The Draft Indian Ports Bill 2021, which was circulated in July 2021, aims to centralise the administration of minor ports that are currently managed by state governments.
• The Inland Vessels Bill 2021 was approved by the Lok Sabha in July 2021. Instead of distinct regulations created by the states, the bill attempts to include a single legislation for the country. The registration certificate issued under the new law will be valid throughout the country and state approvals will not be necessary. The bill also establishes a single database for recording vessel and crew information on an Internet portal.
• In July 2021, the Marine Aids to Navigation Bill 2021 was passed by the Parliament, incorporating global best practices, technological developments and India's international obligations in this field.
• In June 2021, the Gujarat government provided approval to build a new jetty worth an estimated ~Rs. 192 crore (US$ 25.77 million) at Navlakhi port which has been in operation since 1939.
• In June 2021, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and Ministry of Culture sign an MoU for cooperation in development of National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal, Gujarat
• In June 2021, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and Ministry of Civil Aviation signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to develop sea plane services in India.
• On May 10, 2021, JNPT and New Mangalore Port handled 120 tonnes of medical oxygen on a priority basis owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• India is expected to begin full operations in Iran’s Chabahar Port by the end of May 2021. India is building two terminals at the port and will operate them for 10 years
• In Union Budget 2020-21, the total allocation for the Ministry of Shipping was Rs. 1,702.35 crore (US$ 233.48 million).
• The key ports are expected to deliver seven projects worth more than Rs. 2,000 crore (US$ 274.31 million) on a public-private partnership basis in FY22. Private sector investments in ports have steadily increased over the last five years, touching an all-time high of US$ 2.35 billion by 2020.
• The Finance Minister proposed to double the ship recycling capacity of ~4.5 million light displacement tonnes (LDT) by 2024; this is expected to generate an additional ~1.5 lakh employment opportunities in India.
• In Union Budget 2021, the government announced subsidy funding worth Rs. 1,624 crore (US$ 222.74 million) to Indian shipping companies to encourage merchant ship flagging in the country.
• In February 2021, the Major Port Authorities Bill, 2020 was passed by the Parliament of India. The bill aims to decentralise decision-making and reinforce excellence in major port governance.