Facts

• India - 16th largest maritime nation in the world
• India is the 3rd largest in the world in terms of ship recycling by tonnage
• India currently operates 12 major ports and 200+ notified minor and intermediate ports
• India's maritime sector handles 95% of country's trade by volume and 70% by value

5 pillars of the vision

Sagarmala 2.0

Vadhvan deep port, Maharashtra

• India takes a giant leap in maritime excellence as PM Modi launch Vadhvan deep Port in Palghar, Maharashtra.
• Capacity: 23.2 million TEUs, placing it among the top 10 ports worldwide.
• Design: Built to handle ultra-large cargo ships with deeper drafts.
• Connectivity: Direct access to international shipping routes, cutting transit times.
• Technology: Features cutting-edge cargo handling and port management systems.
• Impact: Expected to create substantial employment and drive regional economic growth.
• Sustainability: Emphasis on eco-friendly practices and minimal environmental impact.
  Current updates - Video

26.12.2024 – The Hindu

Bills passed

the Coastal Shipping Bill, 2024 and the Shipping Industry passed in the winter session of Parliament in 2024.

Key features of the bills include easing vessel registration, expanding the definition of vessels and aligning with the global conventions.

Launched

• In 2023 by PM Narendra Modi.
• Investment of more than Rs 80 lakh crore in 25 years, during the AmritKaal time.

Target for AmritKaal time

• By 2030, we want to become one of the top 10 nations, and by 2047, we want to be among the top five.
• In cargo handling capacity, the target is to reach 10,000 million metric tonnes by 2047. Today, we have a capacity to handle 1,600 million metric tonne.

World Bank Report

• World Bank Logistics Performance Index reports, 2023, among 139 countries, India’s position improved from 54 to 38 in the last 10 years

• There are more than 176 maritime nations across the world.

Container dwell time

• time spent by a cargo container at a port or terminal before it is moved out.
• it is about three days, which is much better than in many advanced countries.

Turnaround time

• time required for a ship to unload its cargo and depart.
• ours is 0.9 days, better than Canada, Australia, Germany and the U.S.

Current progress

• Have developed 6 international cruise terminals.
• Earlier, up to 2014, the tourist footfall was only 4.34 lakh, but now it has gone up to 16.19 lakh, which is a 273 % growth in 10 years’ time.

Lothal - a dockyard

• Have revamped Major Port Authority Act, National Waterways Act, Inland Vessel Act, and Recycling of Ships Act.

Sagarmala

• 819 MT of cargo processed, with green and smart port initiatives at the forefront
• India’s maritime legacy is as vast and dynamic as its 7,500-kilometer coastline, which anchors 12 major ports and over 200 minor ones.
• Positioned along the world’s busiest shipping routes, India is not just a key trading hub but a rising global power
• In 2023, the nation contributed 16 percent of global growth, and according to some estimates, it is on course to become the third-largest economy within the next three years.
• As India ascends the global stage, its maritime sector emerges as a linchpin for commerce, connectivity, and international cooperation Drive folder pib and reports

February 2025

One Nation One Port (ONOP)

• The ONOP is an initiative launched by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways to standardize and streamline port operations across India's major ports.
• It aims to reduce inefficiencies, cut costs, enhance operational efficiency in India's maritime sector.

March 2025

Port modernisation

839 projects worth ₹5.79 lakh crores identified under Sagarmala, with 272 projects completed, investing ₹1.41 lakh crore

Port led industrialisation

118% growth in coastal shipping over the last decade, reducing logistics costs and emissions

Connectivity enhancement

700% surge in inland waterway cargo movement, easing congestion on roads and railways

40 lakh+ passengers benefited from Ro-Pax ferries, enhancing coastal connectivity

Coastal community development and Inland waterways

₹40,000 crore budgetary support for Sagarmala 2.0, aiming to unlock ₹12 lakh crore in investments over the next decade

9 Indian ports rank among the world's top 100 with Vizag in the top 20 container ports

April 2025

National Maritime Day, 2025

Government sector schemes in Maritime sector

• Inland waterways development identified 26 new national waterways, following feasibility studies to make them navigable.
• Green Tug Transition Program (GTTP) - Aims to phase out conventional fuel based harbor tugs at Indian major ports.
• Sagarmala Programme - flagship initiative aims at driving port led development across India
• Maritime India Vision (MIV) 2030 - encompasses 150+ initiatives across 10 key themes.

November 2025

India’s first maritime NBFC gets nod for Rs 25,000-crore borrowing push

India's first maritime sector NBFC Sagarmala Finance Corporation Limited (SMFCL), has received board approval to raise up to ₹25,000 crore.

Allows to borrow

This allows the SMFCL to borrow from banks, financial institutions and bond market.

Mini Ratna Category I

SMFCL became operational as an RBI registered NBFC on Jun 19, 2025, is a Mini Ratna Category I central public sector enterprise under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways

Providing special credits to

• ports,
• shipping companies
• maritime MSMEs
• shipyards
• coastal shipping operators and services
• inland waterways projects
• vessel acquisition
• ship building expansion

Partly supported by Maritime Development Fund

The borrowing programme will be supported partly through the government-backed Maritime Development Fund, a Rs 25,000-crore corpus.

Discussion with rating agencies

The NBFC is in discussions with rating agencies to secure a strong credit rating, which it considers essential for lowering borrowing costs and attracting institutional investors. The New Indian Express

January 2026

Andhra Pradesh clears greenfield port and mega Shipbuilding hub at Dugarajapatnam

In Tirupathi District

The Andhra Pradesh government granted formal approval for initiating the establishment of Greenfield Port along with National Mega shipbuilding cluster at Dugarajapatnam in Tirupathi district.

Shipbuilding development scheme (SbBS)

It will be developed under the shipbuilding development scheme of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Swarajya