India’s Maritime Sector has a glorious history and has played a very important role in India’s economic growth. “In the last 8 years under the visionary leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modiji, we have focused on port-led development which includes expanding port capacities and making the existing systems even more efficient. Waterways are being harnessed to ensure Indian products get access to new markets. Our maritime sector has scaled new heights and contributed to boosting trade and commercial activities. The government has focused on modernisation, digitization, rationalisation of laws, simplification of procedures, PPP participation, etc. in the Port sector which was essential for economic growth and building of an “Aatmanirbhar Bharat,” expressed the Honourable Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways and Ministry of Ayush, Mr Sarbananda Sonowal. He was speaking on the second day at an enriching conference as the Chief Guest.

The Institute of Marine Engineers (India) Mumbai Branch along with its Navi Mumbai & Gujarat Chapter had organised its flagship event “INMARCO 2022” from 17th to 19th November at the posh Hotel Sahara Star in Mumbai. This year’s theme is Evolving Maritime World for Greener & Sustainable Future.

Also present were Mr Rajeev Nayyer, Chairman, INMARCO 2022; Mr Vijendra K Jain, President, IME(I); Mr Amitabh Kumar, IRS, Director General of Shipping; Dr (Mr) Sanjeev Ranjan, Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways; and Mr David Birwadkar, Convener, INMARCO 2022.

He mentioned that the Maritime Sector’s contribution towards achievement of India’s US Dollar 400 Billion export target for the years 2021-22 well ahead of schedule, was phenomenal and was a result of these radical changes.

On digitalisation, he articulated that we are constantly modernizing and digitizing our infrastructure to compete with the most modern maritime nations of the world.

Mr Sonowal highlighted that the Government of India has started National Hydrogen Mission with an outlay of Rs. 30,000 Crores between 2022-2023 and 2029-2030 with an ambition to start producing at-least 5 million metric tonnes annually of Green Hydrogen by 2030.

“I am happy to note that in line with National Biofuel Policy to reduce interdependence on fossil fuels, we have also permitted ships to operate with biofuels as per Maritime India Vision 2030 roadmap towards greening Indian ships and ports. The Ministry for Ports, Shipping and Waterways intends to increase the share of renewable energy to 60% of the total power demand of each of its major ports from a present share of less than 10%.”

“I am glad to declare here that MoPSW has now taken a decision to establish India’s first National Centre of Excellence for Green Port & Shipping (NCoEGPS) which is a big initiative to transform its Ports and Shipping to Green,” he continued.

Elaborating on CES, he pointed out that this Centre of Excellence will help on policy and regulatory support to the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways for developing regulatory framework and alternate technology adoption roadmap for Green Shipping to foster carbon neutrality and circular economy (CE) in shipping sector in India.

And he thanked Deendayal Port, Kandla Port, Paradip Port, V.O.Chidambaranar Port Authority & Cochin Shipyard Limited, for acting as promoting organisations for this Centre of Excellence and for providing the necessary initial funding.

He concluded, “Our leading shipyard, Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL) is presently constructing a fleet of 23 Nos. Battery Electric-Diesel Hybrid passenger ferries each to carry upto 100 passengers, to be deployed in the inland waterways of Kochi. This initiative by the Kochi Water Metro will radically alter the Urban Mobility ecosystem in Kochi. I understand that this is the largest amongst such Green projects in the water transport segment globally.”

Marex Media