Recently, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways celebrated the 58th National Maritime Day on the 5th of April. The event also provided an opportunity to discuss the Maritime India Vision-2030.
National Maritime Day: Meaning and Importance
The National Maritime Day, celebrated annually on 5th April, pays tribute to the inaugural voyage of the first Indian flag merchant vessel ‘S.S LOYALTY’ that sailed from Mumbai to London on April 5th, 1919. The 2021 theme was ‘Sustainable Shipping beyond Covid-19’. This day is significant because it encourages the Indian merchant shipping industry. Shipping plays a crucial role in the country’s economy, with 90% of India’s international trade by volume and 77% by value conducted by sea.
Key Initiatives in the Shipping Industry
Several initiatives have been introduced to streamline and boost the maritime industry. The Sagarmala Programme approved in 2015 focuses on comprehensive port infrastructure development along the 7,516-km coastline through modernisation, mechanisation and computerisation. Project Unnati, launched in 2014, scrutinises every activity to identify excesses/mistakes and improve efficiency.
Another key development is the Blue Economy Policy that underscores the blue economy as a vital component for national growth that can be achieved through policies across several key sectors. Additionally, India is a member of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), a United Nations’ body responsible for enhancing the safety and security of international shipping and preventing marine and atmospheric pollution by ships.
National Waterways and Other Developments
According to the National Waterways Act 2016, 111 waterways have been declared as National Waterways. The Sagar-Manthan: Mercantile Marine Domain Awareness Centre, an information system, has been launched to improve maritime safety, search and rescue capabilities, security and marine environment protection. There are plans to establish Ship Repair Clusters along both coasts by 2022.
Ship Recycling
The domestic ship recycling industry will also be promoted to create ‘Wealth from Waste’. Significantly, India has enacted the Recycling of Ships Act, 2019 and acceded to the Hong Kong Convention for Ship Recycling.
The Ten-Year Blueprint: Maritime India Vision 2030
Presented by the Prime Minister at the Maritime India Summit 2021, the Maritime India Vision 2030 is a ten-year blueprint for the maritime sector. It supersedes the Sagarmala initiative with its focus on boosting waterways, augmenting the shipbuilding industry and promoting cruise tourism in India.
Policy Initiatives and Development Projects
Key projects include the Maritime Development Fund, a Rs. 25,000-crore fund offering low cost, long-tenure financing to the sector; the Port Regulatory Authority, a pan-India authority slated to oversee major and non-major ports; and the Eastern Waterways Connectivity Transport Grid Project aiming to foster regional connectivity with Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and Myanmar.
Other initiatives include the Riverine Development Fund providing low-cost, long-term financing for inland vessels, rationalisation of port charges to enhance competitiveness and transparency, and promotion of water transport as an alternative urban transport mode.
