Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal chaired a comprehensive review meeting with senior officials in New Delhi to assess the progress of coastal shipping and outline measures to further strengthen India’s multimodal logistics ecosystem.
During the meeting, the Minister highlighted the significant growth achieved by the maritime sector under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He noted that cargo throughput at India’s ports has increased by 120% over the past 12 years, with the sector recording a robust compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of around 9.2% since 2021.
The review focused on a series of strategic initiatives aimed at accelerating the growth of coastal shipping. Key areas of discussion included the development of dedicated berthing facilities, enhanced rail-port connectivity, establishment of specialised cargo complexes, improvement of vessel certification standards, and the preparation of a comprehensive roadmap to address operational bottlenecks across the maritime value chain.
Sonowal reaffirmed the government’s commitment to transforming India’s maritime sector through historic reforms and infrastructure development. He said the government is focused on building a modern, efficient and commercially vibrant maritime ecosystem that supports economic growth and strengthens the country’s logistics competitiveness.
The initiatives form part of the government’s broader Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, which aims to position India as a global maritime powerhouse through enhanced port infrastructure, seamless multimodal connectivity and increased coastal shipping capacity.