Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) celebrated 62nd National Maritime Day | Current Affairs | Vision IAS
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Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) celebrated 62nd National Maritime Day

Posted 07 Apr 2025

2 min read

National Maritime Day commemorates the historic voyage of 'S.S. Loyalty', the first Indian-owned steamship, which sailed from Mumbai to London on April 5, 1919.

India’s Maritime Sector

  • India has 7,500-kilometre coastline, which anchors 12 major ports and over 200 minor ports, positioning it as the 16th largest maritime nation
  • India is third-largest in world in terms of ship recycling by tonnage.
  • India’s ranking in World Bank’s International Shipment Logistics Performance Index (LPI) improved from 44 in 2018 to 22 in 2023.
  • From 2014-15 to 2023-24, major ports boosted their cargo-handling capacity by 87%, with Paradip port becoming India’s largest major port
An infographic highlighting Significance of India's Maritime Sectors

Challenges to Maritime Sector

  • Inefficient Port Infrastructure: Port connectivity, especially with inland transport, remains underdeveloped.
  • Environmental Concerns: Coastal ecosystem degradation and the environmental impact of large port projects pose sustainability challenges.
  • Geopolitical Risks: Changing geopolitical dynamics and threats from non-state actors such as attacks on commercial vessels.

Initiatives for boosting Maritime Sector 

  • Policies: 100% FDI under the automatic route for port and harbour projects and 10-year tax holiday to enterprises engaged in port development.
  • Infrastructure Development: Approval for a major port at Vadhavan (Maharashtra) and outlining investment of US$ 82 billion in port infrastructure by 2035. 
  • Schemes: Sagarmala Programme, Maritime India Vision 2030, Green Tug Transition Programme etc.
  • Tags :
  • Blue Economy
  • Maritime Sector
  • Port Infrastructure
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