Latest news with #MoPSW
Fibre2Fashion
8 hours ago
- Business
- Fibre2Fashion
India commits $20 bn to boost logistics, port connectivity: Sonowal
India has committed $20 billion for infrastructure development focused on enhancing multimodal logistics, port connectivity, and trade facilitation, said Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) Sarbananda Sonowal at the India pavilion at Nor-Shipping, a premium global maritime event in Oslo. At the session, Sonowal highlighted India's growing maritime capabilities including favourable policy induced investment environment, proven shipbuilding strength, circular economy efforts, and innovative financing plans to accelerate sectoral growth. 'Under the able and visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is moving decisively toward the goals of Viksit Bharat and Atmanirbhar Bharat. These goals envisage India as a modern, self-reliant, inclusive, and globally engaged economy. In this journey, the maritime sector is central—not just as a driver of growth, but as an enabler of resilience, sustainability, and strategic connectivity. India has launched wide-ranging efforts to expand port infrastructure, integrate logistics systems, and improve ease of doing business for the private sector. These reforms are already bearing fruit in the form of increased port efficiency, stronger cargo flows, and rising investor confidence,' Sonowal explained. Indian Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has announced that India has committed $20 billion to enhance multimodal logistics, port connectivity, and trade facilitation. This initiative supports the nation's Maritime Vision 2047, aiming to position India as a global maritime leader. Key projects include the development of Green Hydrogen Hub Ports and the launch of the Maritime Development Fund. He also highlighted strengthening of maritime connectivity and supply chains with strategic corridors like India - Middle East - Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC), the Eastern Maritime Corridor (EMC), and the International North - South Transport Corridor (INSTC). 'To support these efforts, India is working to become a credible and competitive alternative. Through policy incentives, ease of doing business, and infrastructure enhancement, we are laying the foundation for India to emerge as one of the top five shipbuilding nations by 2047,' Sonowal added. Emphasising the need for a green and sustainable maritime future, Sonowal added, 'India is establishing three Green Hydrogen Hub Ports— Kandla, Tuticorin, and Paradip— to support the manufacturing of green hydrogen and its derivatives and to pioneer the use of alternative fuels in the maritime domain. We are also proud to lead under the IMO's Green Voyage 2050 initiative, assisting developing countries in their energy transitions.' 'India's maritime digital ecosystem is undergoing a transformation. Initiatives such as ONOP (One Nation - One Port Process), National Logistics Portal (Marine) and MAITRI – Virtual Trade Corridor are creating a unified national platform for port services and EXIM trade. These efforts are improving operational transparency, reducing transaction time and building real-time data systems. We are also engaging with global partners to establish virtual trade corridors that will digitally connect ports, enabling seamless cargo movement and reducing bottlenecks,' he explained. In another session, 'Ship Recycling – Enabler to Circular Economy and Sustainable Maritime', India presented its mature, Hong Kong Convention (HKC) compliant ship recycling framework. The country's environmentally regulated and high-capacity ship recycling ecosystem was showcased as a key contributor to global circular economy efforts. The event also featured a strategic presentation on India's port-led decarbonisation strategy. This included the development of green hydrogen and ammonia production hubs at Indian ports to support green fuel bunkering, shipping corridors, and overall maritime decarbonisation goals. On India's proven Maritime manpower, Sonowal continued, 'India is currently the second largest seafarer manpower provider to Norwegian owned ships. Through this platform, I would like to encourage larger partnerships for seafarer recruitment between Norwegian and Indian agencies. India stands ready—as a reliable, responsible, and forward-looking maritime partner. We are committed to shaping a maritime future that is green, secure, efficient, and inclusive.' On the investment front, discussions focused on 'Innovative Financing for Maritime Growth', with insights into the proposed Maritime Development Fund. The blended finance model aims to use concessional capital from the government to unlock private investment. India also highlighted institutional mechanisms for risk sharing and partnership models to mobilise investments into its growing maritime sector. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (RR)
Time of India
20-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Centre to invest additional Rs 1,000 cr in inland waterways projects in Assam, Northeast in 2026: Union Minister
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel The Union Minister of Ports , Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW), Sarbananda Sonowal , reviewed the ongoing projects in Assam and the Northeast with the senior officials from the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW), theInland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), Public Work Department (PWD), Indian Port Rail and Ropeway CorporationLimited (IPRCL) and Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL).The minister underscored the need to complete the projects on time in line with the broader vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Viksit Bharat 'Northeast is the topmost priority for PM Narendra Modi ji, our work in the region must sync with the vision of Viksit Bharat,' asserted Sarbananda Sonowal at the said, 'As per the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, we are developing robust waterway infrastructure in Assam and the Northeast with projects worth Rs 1,000 crore on the anvil, targeted for completion by 2026. In last two years, more than Rs 1,000 crore has been invested, with Rs 300 crore worth of projects already completed. Following my review of ongoing works in the region, we are on track to complete the remaining Rs 700 crore projects by the end of 2025. These efforts aim to boost cargo and passenger movement, improve last-mile connectivity, promote economic growth in the Northeast, and align with the broader vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat through sustainable and inclusive transport solutions.'The Union Government is actively developing key infrastructure projects along NW2 (Brahmaputra) and NW16 (Barak), including the construction of passenger vessels of various capacities, terminal facilities, and capacity-building also reviewed progress on the proposed Inland Water Transport (IWT) project at Doyang Lake, and assessed thepotential of Noune and Shilloi Lakes in Nagaland for water sports and tourism. Feasibility studies for IWT development on the Tiawng and Chhimtuipui rivers in Mizoram, as well as on Umiam Lake and the Ummgot River (NW106) in Meghalaya, were also said, 'Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visionary leadership, India is steadily moving towards the goal of Viksit Bharat. Assam and the Northeast are central to this progress, with inland waterways playing a vital role. Since 2014, the Modi government has revived this once neglected mode of transport, especially through the Brahmaputra (NW2) and Barak (NW16) rivers. Schemes like Jalvahak are encouraging businesses to adopt this economical, efficient, and eco friendly mode, reducing pressure on road and rail, and positioning Assam as a key driver in India's journey towards a self-reliant economy by 2047.'Reviewing multiple projects ranging from new infrastructure development for capacity enhancement on national waterways to scaling up with skill development initiatives for youth of Assam and the Northeast in the maritime sector, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal emphasised the urgency and the need for optimum utilisation of further Sonowal said, 'Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, the government isbuilding new avenues for the youth of Assam and the Northeast to participate in India's maritime growth. Through institutions like the Maritime Skill Development Centre in Guwahati and the Centre of Excellence for Inland Water Transport in Dibrugarh, we are training a future-ready workforce equipped for inland and global maritime opportunities. These efforts are part of a larger push to skill, empower and employ our youth in logistics, cargo handling, vessel operations and more—especially as we expand infrastructure on NW2 and NW16. The Northeast is not just a gateway to Southeast Asia, but a key contributor to India's journey towards becoming a global maritime leader and achieving Viksit Bharat by 2047."To further enhance cruise tourism and cargo handling capacity across National Waterways 2 (Brahmaputra) and 16 (Barak), over Rs 1,500 crores have been earmarked for key projects scheduled to be completed by 2027-28. These include construction of modern jetties equipped with onshore facilities at Silghat, Bishwanath Ghat, Neamati Ghat, and Guijan. Additionally, a new building for the Regional Office of the Mercantile Marine Department (MSDC), along with a guest house and office space for ITAT, will be constructed at Fancy Bazar in also noted progress on the proposed Water Metro services in Guwahati and Dhubri, with a Rs 315 crore investment and two electric catamarans being built by Cochin Shipyard Ltd. A Rs 100 crore cruise terminal in Guwahati and a Regional Centre of Excellence (RCoE) in Dibrugarh worth Rs 120 crore are also in the along Brahmaputra (NW2) includes five riverine lighthouses at key locations, fairway development between Pandu and Bogibeel with Rs 150 crore, and procurement of two cutter suction dredgers. The IWAI is implementing Rs 1,010 crore worth of projects across NW2 and NW16, including terminals at Bogibeel and Jogighopa, and a Rs 208 crore ship repair facility at Barak river (NW16), Sonowal reaffirmed that survey and dredging equipment, and floating terminals at Karimganj and Badarpur projects reflect the Modi Government's commitment to making the Northeast a hub of India's maritime ensure consistent navigability along the Brahmaputra, the Dredging Corporation of India (DCI) has been entrusted with maintaining a minimum assured draft of 2.5 meters from the Bangladesh border to Pandu under NW-2 until 2026-27.
Mint
13-05-2025
- Business
- Mint
Cargo handled at India's major ports rises 4.3% to 855 million tonnes in FY25
India's major ports handled 855 million tonnes of cargo in FY25, 4.3% more than the 819 million tonnes they handled in FY24, and hit new milestones in operational efficiency and infrastructure modernisation, the ministry of ports, shipping and waterways (MoPSW) said on Tuesday. This growth highlights the resilience and capacity of major ports in accommodating rising trade volumes, the ministry added. The increase in traffic was driven by higher container throughput (10%), fertilisers (13%), petrol, oil and lubricants (3%), and miscellaneous commodities (31%) than in the previous fiscal year. Petroleum, oil, and lubricants—including crude, petroleum products, and LPG/LNG—led the charts with a volume of 254.5 million tonnes (29.8%) in FY25. It was followed by container traffic at 193.5 million tonnes (22.6%), coal at 186.6 million tonnes (21.8%), and other cargo categories such as iron ore, pellets and fertilisers. For the first time in the history of major ports, the Paradip Port Authority (PPA) and Deendayal Port Authority (DPA) handled more than 150 million tonnes of cargo, reinforcing their status as key hubs of maritime trade and operational excellence, the ministry said. Meanwhile, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) set a record by handling 7.3 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), reflecting 13.5% year-on-year growth. In FY25, Indian ports collectively allocated 962 acres of land for industrialisation, which is expected to have generated income of ₹ 7,565 crore over the fiscal year, the ministry said. Lessees are expected to investment ₹ 68,780 crore on the allotted land in future, reaffirming investor confidence in port-led development, it added. Private-sector participation has been instrumental in this transformation, with investments in public-private-partnership (PPP) projects at major ports increasing threefold from ₹ 1,329 crore in FY23 to ₹ 3,986 crore in FY25, the ministry said. Operational performance continued to improve in FY25, with pre-berthing detention time (on port account) up around 36% from FY24. Major ports saw an 8% increase in total income to ₹ 24,203 crore in FY25 from ₹ 22,468 crore in FY24. Operating surplus grew 7% to ₹ 12,314 crore in FY25 from ₹ 11,512 crore in FY24. Sarbananda Sonowal, minister of ports, shipping and waterways, said, "I am immensely proud of the remarkable achievements of India's major ports in FY25… the ministry has worked tirelessly to modernise port infrastructure, enhance operational efficiency, and foster private sector participation, paving the way for unprecedented growth in India's maritime sector. 'From record-breaking cargo handling to significant improvements in operational parameters and financial performance, the achievements of FY25 reflect the resilience and readiness of our ports to support India's growing trade ambitions.' From FY15 to FY25, cargo volumes surged from 581 million tonnes to about 855 million tonnes, clocking a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4%. Containerised cargo saw a remarkable 70% increase over the decade—from 7.9 million TEUs in FY15 to 13.5 million in FY25. Conventional commodities such as coal, fertilisers, iron ore and POL also saw significant growth over the past decade. Productivity indicators also point to a significant improvement. Output per ship berth day (OSBD) rose from 12,458 tonnes to 18,304 tonnes over the decade. Average turnaround time (TRT) improved by 48%, from 96 hours in FY15 to 49.5 hours in FY25. Pre-berthing detention time (on port account) improved by 24%, from 5.02 hours in FY15 to 3.8 hours in FY25. Idle time (%) fell by 29%, from 23.1% in FY15 to 16.3% in FY25. Major ports' financial performance has been equally impressive over the past decade, with total income more than doubling from ₹ 11,760 crore in FY15 to ₹ 24,203 crore in FY25 at 7.5% CAGR. Operating surplus nearly tripled to ₹ 12,314 crore at a 13% CAGR over the same period. Operational efficiency also improved significantly, with the operating ratio falling from 64.7% in FY15 to 42.3% in FY25, reinforcing the ports' financial sustainability. India's major ports are now poised to take their competitiveness to the next level, supported by continuous investment in mechanisation, process reengineering, port community systems, and multi-modal logistics integration, the ministry said. These initiatives have resulted in higher cargo volumes, reduced vessel wait times, optimised capacity utilisation, and increased investor confidence, it added.
Hans India
13-05-2025
- Business
- Hans India
MoPSW secretary visits Vizag port, unveils projects
Visakhapatnam: Secretary of Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) Government of India T K Ramachandran inaugurated the south-side Park of AOB, Visakhapatnam boardroom and Manthan hall. Visiting various areas of Visakhapatnam Port Authority (VPA), the secretary of MoPSW reviewed the port operations and held a meeting with regard to proposal of setting up of Dugarajapatnam Port by the state government, utilisation of salt land and port-led industries at Mulapeta Port and also inaugurated dash board of e-measurement book and coffee table book of the port. Later, the secretary of MoPSW held an interactive meeting with the stakeholders/PPP operators. The Trade represented specific issues such as land lease for storage and recommendations. He instructed the stakeholders to consider relevant initiatives under the MIV 2030 and MAKV 2047 programmes. Further, visiting Dredging Corporation of India, Ramachandran stressed the need for the corporation to focus on strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing productivity and competitiveness in the current market environment. Chairperson of Visakhapatnam Port Authority (VPA) and chairman of DCIL M. Angamuthu briefed the secretary on the Corporation's ongoing strategic initiatives and its pivotal role in supporting maritime trade by ensuring navigability at major Indian ports. Managing director and CEO Durgesh Kumar Dubey provided an overview of the organisation's ongoing projects and financial performance. Also, the secretary of MoPSW visited Hindustan Shipyard Limited and Centre for Excellence in Maritime and Shipbuilding, reviewed training programmes on the job training imparted by the CEMS to the unemployed youth and lauded the efforts of the VPA for funding them for skill development. PSL Swami, Chief Vigilance Officer, T Venu Gopal, secretary, VPA, along with heads of departments and senior officers of the port were present.
Time of India
30-04-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Shipping Ministry hosts workshop on digital transformation to achieve maritime Amrit Kaal vision 2047
NEW DELHI: The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) organised a one-day workshop on IT Procurement and Project Management in New Delhi, aiming to enhance digital efficiency and streamline IT implementation across India's maritime and shipping ecosystem. #Pahalgam Terrorist Attack The groundwork before India mounts a strike at Pakistan India considers closing airspace to Pakistani carriers amid rising tensions Cold Start: India's answer to Pakistan's nuclear threats The workshop was virtually inaugurated by the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal , who emphasised the transformative role of technology in modernising port operations and enhancing service delivery for stakeholders. TK Ramachandran , Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, addressed the participants and emphasised the importance of innovation, collaboration, and capacity building in accelerating digital transformation within the maritime sector. The event witnessed active participation from senior officials of the Ministry, various ports, and associated organisations. In-depth sessions during the workshop focused on challenges in IT projects, identifying root causes, and exploring actionable solutions to improve project outcomes. Case studies from ongoing Ministry projects were discussed to draw practical insights. Live Events Key highlight of the event was a presentation on the proposed Digital Centre of Excellence (DCoE)--envisioned as a dedicated centre for IT project delivery, to be developed with support from CDAC. Live demonstrations were held to showcase innovative digital tools, including SPARSH (Dashboard for Ports) and Counsello, AI-powered platforms developed by startups. Draft IT Procurement Guidelines were also introduced during the session, with participants encouraged to share feedback based on their on-ground experience. The discussions were led by R Lakshmanan, Joint Secretary (IT), MoPSW, who reaffirmed the Ministry's commitment to building resilient and future-ready digital systems. The workshop concluded with closing remarks by the Secretary of MoPSW, emphasising the need for effective project execution and the integration of next-generation technologies, such as AI, ML, and other indigenous software solutions.
