Latest news with #PortsConclave
The Hindu
15-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Day 2 of BIMSTEC Conclave focuses on maritime cooperation, tourism potential and port reforms
The second day of the 2nd BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) Ports Conclave featured high-level panel discussions on enhancing maritime cooperation, port efficiency, cruise tourism, and human resource development in the Bay of Bengal region. Subject experts moderated the sessions, offering insights into key regional challenges, while eminent speakers shared practical perspectives and solutions. The day opened with a session on boosting intra-regional trade—currently at just 7%—through streamlined customs, removal of regulatory hurdles, and improved logistics to ensure seamless cargo movement and port operations. A dedicated panel explored the vast potential for cruise tourism, focusing on collaborative promotion of cruise circuits, eco-tourism, and heritage-based coastal tourism, drawing on the region's rich biodiversity and cultural legacy. Another session outlined strategic roadmaps for BIMSTEC port collaboration, emphasizing sustainable development, innovation, and global best practices. The final technical session stressed the need to upskill the maritime workforce through public-private partnerships in maritime education, shipbuilding, and port management to build a competitive talent base. Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal visited Hindustan Shipyard in the morning and later reviewed key issues at the Dredging Corporation of India. Visakhapatnam Port Authority (VPA) Chairperson M. Angamuthu also participated in the conclave.
Time of India
15-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
India aiming to emerge as global maritime hub, says Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal
VISAKHAPATNAM: Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal on Monday inaugurated the second Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation ( BIMSTEC ) Ports Conclave here, stressing that India aims to emerge as a global maritime hub . Hosted by Visakhapatnam Port Authority (VPA), the two-day conclave is themed as 'Navigating the Future: Blue Economy, Innovation & Sustainable Partnerships', bringing together ministerial delegations, port authorities, maritime experts, and business leaders from BIMSTEC member countries. "Prime Minister's Vision 2030 and 2047 aims to make India a global maritime leader," said Sonowal, addressing the conclave. He said the BIMSTEC Ports Conclave stands as a springboard to unlock the immense potential of blue economy from the Bay of Bengal region. "Under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi , India has a "Neighbourhood First" policy and in this sees BIMSTEC nations as key partners in regional prosperity," said Sonowal. Live Events "We want this platform to enhance collaboration among all member nations for strengthening port led industrialisation, digital integration and skill development which in turn boost cruise tourism, and foster coastal economic zones," he said. According to the minister, BIMSTEC member countries--India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand--should aim to create a seamless and efficient network of ports that could serve as engines of growth. Through joint feasibility studies, PPP (Public Private Partnership), and skill development of maritime workforce, Sonowal said BIMSTEC can transform the region into a thriving hub of global trade, tourism, and sustainable economic progress. Further, Sonowal said a BIMSTEC Sustainable Maritime Transport Centre is going to be established under the Indian Ocean Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Maritime Transport (IOCE-SMarT) at the Maritime Training Institute in Powai, Mumbai. He inaugurated multiple projects in the port, such as new oil refinery berth-2, fire fighting facilities at OSTT Berth, new port operating system, vessel traffic management system (VTMS) and others. Moreover, he laid the foundation stone for the construction of B-Ramp in the port area, finger jetty and wharf in fishing harbour, two additional breasting dolphins at OSTT and others.
New Indian Express
15-07-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Union Minister for Ports Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurates BIMSTEC Conclave in Visakhapatnam
VISAKHAPATNAM: Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, inaugurated the second Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Ports Conclave in Visakhapatnam on Monday. Delegates from all seven BIMSTEC member countries–Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and India–participated in the event. Welcoming the representatives, Visakhapatnam Port Authority Chairman M Angamuthu highlighted the strategic importance of Visakhapatnam in maritime trade and logistics. He called for greater collaboration among BIMSTEC countries in port-led industrialisation, digital infrastructure integration, and maritime skill development. He also underlined the contribution of the Centre of Excellence in Maritime Skill Development (CEMS) in positioning Visakhapatnam as a training hub for the maritime sector. In his address, the Union Minister laid out key components of the Union government's long-term maritime vision, in line with the Prime Minister's Vision 2030 and 2047. BIMSTEC Secretary General Indra Mani Pandey shared the framework of BIMSTEC Vision 2030 and noted that 267 transport connectivity projects are currently in progress under the master plan. He proposed setting up a BIMSTEC Centre of Excellence in Maritime Transport in Visakhapatnam and outlined plans for real-time cargo tracking and sustainable port practices.
The Hindu
13-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Vizag to host BIMSTEC ports conclave on July 14, 15
Visakhapatnam Port Authority (VPA) will host the second 'Ports Conclave' at Novotel here on July 14-15 as part of the country's commitment to strengthen regional maritime connectivity and cooperation across the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) region. Themed 'Navigating the Future: Blue Economy, Innovation and Sustainable Partnerships,' the event would bring together ministerial delegations, port authorities, maritime experts and business leaders from BIMSTEC member countries—Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand. 'Since VPA is India's Eastern Gateway and a leader in green and smart port initiatives, and with its advanced port infrastructure, cruise terminal and multimodal logistics ecosystem, Visakhapatnam has been considered for the conclave to discuss the next phase of BIMSTEC's Maritime journey,' said VPA secretary Venugopal. 'BIMSTEC plays a pivotal role in creating a prosperous, secure and resilient Indo-Pacific, in line with India's Act East Policy, Neighbourhood First and SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision,' Mr. Venugopal said. The first edition of the conclave was held in Visakhapatnam in November 2019 under the theme 'The Blue Seas Synergy Summit.' Some of the key takeaways included establishment of a Cruise Tourism Task Force and launch of the Chennai–Sri Lanka cruise circuit. Boost of ₹45,000 crore to India's Inland Waterways network. Operationalisation of Sittwe Port in Myanmar under Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit. Acceleration of digital port connectivity through PCS 1x, SagarSetu, and Logistics Data Bank (LDB) platforms, he added. The second edition conclave aims to turbocharge regional maritime growth by unlocking private investment and infrastructure partnerships across BIMSTEC ports. Fast-tracking Kaladan Multimodal Transit Corridor and associated logistics networks. Identifying and promoting coastal tourism circuits and heritage cruise lines. Upskilling port workforce and developing future-ready talent pools. Advancing the Blue Economy through green energy adoption, sustainable logistics and digital transformation, he said. 'Aligned with Maritime India Vision 2030 and Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, the conclave will feature deliberations on Harit Sagar (Green Ports) and shore-to-ship power supply; green hydrogen integration and de-carbonisation pathways; and smart logistics corridors, SEZs and port-linked industrialisation,' Mr. Venugopal said.
