Government Initiatives

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

• India’s 12 major ports handled 72.2 million tonnes of cargo in December, growing 3.22%. In FY25 so far, total cargo reached 620 million tonnes, reflecting a 2.7% YoY increase.
• In October 2024, Union Cabinet approved the development of the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) at Lothal, Gujarat, showcasing India’s 4,500-year-old maritime heritage. This project is expected to enhance employment, tourism, and cultural preservation with phased development supported by public-private partnerships with a completion goal of 2025 for its first phase.
• In July 2024, the Union Minister for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Mr. Sarbananda Sonowal approved a Rs. 284.19 crore (US$ 34 million) project by the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) to establish a comprehensive agricultural commodity processing and storage facility aiming to streamline logistics, reduce handling stages, and extend the shelf life of agricultural products. The projected export capacity includes a frozen store of 1,800 metric tonnes, a cold store of 5,800 metric tonnes, and dry warehouses for 12,000 metric tonnes of grains, cereals, and dry cargo.
• On 19 June 2024, the Government of India approved the establishment of a Major Port at Vadhavan, Maharashtra, with an estimated cost of Rs. 76,220 crore (US$ 9.14 billion), aiming to enhance EXIM trade capacity and accommodate mega vessels, while facilitating public-private partnerships for infrastructure development.
• On 29 July 2024, Secretary Mr. T.K. Ramachandran reviewed the functioning of the Paradip Port Authority (PPA) and inaugurated key projects worth over Rs. 13 crores (US$ 1.56 million), including a Trauma and Burn Care Centre and a Water Treatment Plant with a capacity to filter 16 million litres of water per day, enhancing the port's infrastructure and services.
• On July 26, 2024, the Government of India announced an update to the Shipbuilding Financial Assistance Policy (SBFAP), which has provided financial aid totaling Rs. 337 crores (US$ 40.40 million) to enhance India’s competitiveness against foreign shipyards and revitalize the shipbuilding industry. Since the policy's inception, 313 vessel orders valued at approximately Rs. 10,500 crores (US$ 1.26 billion) have been secured.
• On July 26, 2024, the Government of India announced 29 new proposals from Andhra Pradesh and Visakhapatnam Port Trust under the Sagarmala project, totaling approximately Rs. 3,300 crores (US$ 395 million). These initiatives include port development and fish landing centers.
• The Union Budget 2025-26 extends the Shipbuilding Financial Assistance Policy (SBFAP) 2.0 with Rs. 18,090 crore (US$ 2.08 billion) outlay, offering subsidies to Indian shipyards to offset costs and boost domestic shipbuilding.
• Under the Sagarmala Programme, 45 projects totaling Rs. 47,166 crore (US$ 5.69 billion) have been earmarked for execution at Non-Major Ports. Of these, 4 projects worth Rs. 5,419 crore (US$ 0.65 billion) have been finalized, while 17 projects valued at Rs. 27,673 crore (US$ 3.34 billion) are presently underway. Thirty-one out of the 45 projects are being carried out through Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode, with a collective investment of Rs. 45,973 crore (US$ 5.54 billion).
• On March 07, 2024, the Union Minister for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, Mr.Sarbananda Sonowal approved a project exceeding Rs. 800 crore (US$ 96.48 million) to revamp Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata, encompassing berth reconstruction and mechanization to enhance operational efficiency and global competitiveness.
• On February 20, 2024, The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways and Ayush, Mr. Sarbananda Sonowal initiated major waterways projects in North East India, including inaugurating terminals at Bogibeel and Sonamura, unveiling projects worth Rs. 308 crore (US$ 37.14 million), and announcing initiatives for improved connectivity and economic growth.
• The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways will invest over Rs. 57,000 crore (US$ 6.55 billion) to boost Kandla Port’s capacity, including a Rs. 30,000 crore (US$ 3.45 billion) mega shipbuilding project and Rs. 27,000 crore (US$ 3.10 billion) cargo terminal.
• On September 19, 2023, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways proposed the Indian Ports Bill with the aim of enhancing transparency in port tariffs and updating penalties. The bill empowers the Maritime States Development Council (MSDC) for integrated planning and introduces a three-tier dispute resolution mechanism for conflicts between state maritime boards.
• On August 24, 2023, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways initiated the development of a Next-Gen Container Terminal at Tuna Tekra, Gujarat, through a Rs. 4,243.64 crore (US$ 511.7 million) PPP agreement with DP World, enhancing port infrastructure and trade connectivity.
• On January 27, 2023, the Honorable Minister for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways inaugurated the National Logistics Portal (Marine). This platform connects logistics stakeholders, enhancing efficiency, transparency, and reducing costs and time delays through IT integration. Covering all transport modes, it offers seamless end-to-end logistics service coverage.
• The government aims to increase Inland Water Transport (IWT) share to 5% by 2030 as per Maritime India Vision (MIV)-2030, emphasizing its cost-effectiveness and sustainability for bulk cargo transportation, particularly along National Waterway No. 1 (River Ganga).
• Under the Sagarmala initiative, the Ministry has initiated Ro-Pax Ferry operations connecting Ghogha to Hazira in Gujarat and Mumbai to Mandwa in Maharashtra. These services have facilitated the transportation of over 24.15 lakh passengers, 4.58 lakh cars, and 36.3 thousand trucks, promoting environmental sustainability and public welfare.
• In Union Budget 2023-24, the total allocation for the Ministry of Shipping was US$ 1,813.16 million (Rs. 2,218.74 crore).
• In October 2022, Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the development of a container terminal at Tuna-Tekra, Deendayal Port, the terminal will be built on a Build, Operate & Transfer (BOT) basis under Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) mode.
• In August 2022, Minister of Road Transport and Highways Mr. Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways and Ayush, Mr. Sarbananda Sonowal, and Minister of State for Road Transport & Highways, Gen (Retd) VK Singh signed a tripartite agreement for swift development of modern Multi Modal Logistics Parks (MMLP) under Bharatmala Pariyojna across the country.
• In July 2022, the Sagarmala programme is the flagship programme of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways to promote port-led development in the country through harnessing India’s 7,500 km long coastline, 14,500 km of potentially navigable waterways and strategic location on key international maritime trade routes.
• In December 2021, India and Russia are talking about collaborating on shipbuilding and inland waterways.