**Executive Summary**
The document highlights the Indian government's active engagement with foreign entities to foster global partnerships in the shipping sector. It details collaborations aimed at modernizing ports, developing infrastructure, promoting green shipping, and enhancing maritime logistics. Key initiatives include various international partnerships, digital advancements, and efforts toward environmental sustainability, supported by significant legislative changes and financial investments. The information was provided by the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways in a written reply to the Lok Sabha.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **International Partnerships:**
* Collaboration with Russia to explore the Northern Sea Route.
* Development of the Eastern Maritime Corridor.
* Indo-Danish Centre of Excellence in Green Shipping.
* India-Singapore partnership for Green & Digital Shipping Corridor.
* DPA collaboration with the Port of Rotterdam for green hydrogen facilities.
* Engagement with various countries through meetings and agreements for collaborative opportunities.
* India Maritime Week 2025 saw participation from over 93 countries.
* **Foreign Investment and Port Operations:**
* Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is permitted in the port sector in India.
* DP World, UAE operates container terminals at various locations.
* DP World is also developing a container terminal at Tuna Tekra, Deendayal Port.
* PSA Singapore operates terminals at Jawaharlal Nehru Port.
* **Legislative Changes:**
* The Merchant Shipping Act, 2025, to promote tonnage under the Indian flag.
* The Coastal Shipping Act, 2025, to simplify the license regime for coastal vessels.
* The Indian Ports Act, 2025, for long-term planning and integrated development of ports.
* The Bills of Lading Act, 2025 and the Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, 2025 to eliminate outdated colonial-era laws.
* The Marine Aids to Navigation Act, 2021, and Inland Vessel Act, 2021, modernize inland water transport.
* The Major Port Authorities Act, 2021, enhances autonomy, flexibility, and private investment in ports.
* **Digitalization and Environmental Initiatives:**
* Efforts to standardize procedures, reduce manual interventions, and improve information exchange through digitalization.
* Implementation of the One Nation One Port Process (ONOP) to streamline documentation and operations.
* Initiatives like Maritime Single Window (Sagar Setu) to enhance IT systems.
* "Harit Sagar" Green Port guidelines to reduce carbon footprint.
* Adoption of alternate fuels and low-emission equipment.
* Development of Green Hydrogen hub ports and the Green Tug Transition Programme.
* **Financial Investment in Shipbuilding:**
* Government approval of ₹69,725 Crore to revitalize shipbuilding and the maritime ecosystem.
* Implementation of a four-pillar approach, including:
* Shipbuilding Financial Assistance Scheme (SBFAS).
* Maritime Development Fund (MDF).
* Shipbuilding Development Scheme (SbDS).
* Policy, technology, and institutional reforms.
* National Shipbuilding Mission (NSbM) to coordinate and monitor initiatives.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder:** Foreign Governments and Organizations
**Impact**
* Opportunity to collaborate with India on port modernization, infrastructure development, green shipping, and maritime logistics.
* Potential for joint ventures and partnerships in developing green hydrogen facilities and maritime corridors.
**Action Required**
* Engage in bilateral meetings and agreements to explore collaborative opportunities.
* Participate in initiatives such as India Maritime Week to foster partnerships.
**Stakeholder:** Indian Ports and Shipping Industry
**Impact**
* Modernization and efficiency improvements through digitalization and updated legislation.
* Financial support for shipbuilding and ecosystem revitalization.
* Opportunities to adopt green technologies and practices for environmental sustainability.
**Action Required**
* Implement new legislations, such as the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025 and the Indian Ports Act, 2025.
* Participate in the One Nation One Port Process (ONOP) to standardize procedures.
* Adopt "Harit Sagar" Green Port guidelines to reduce carbon footprint.
* Apply for financial assistance schemes, such as the Shipbuilding Financial Assistance Scheme (SBFAS).
**Stakeholder:** Maritime Sector Stakeholders (Delegates, Companies, etc.)
**Impact**
* Exposure to new technologies, practices, and partnerships through initiatives like India Maritime Week.
* Potential for increased efficiency and reduced costs through streamlined processes and digitalization efforts.
* Opportunity to contribute to environmental sustainability through green shipping initiatives.
**Action Required**
* Participate in initiatives to enhance knowledge and network.
* Engage with government and industry partners to leverage new opportunities.
* Adopt new technologies and practices to improve efficiency and reduce environmental impact.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways: The primary government body responsible for the policy initiatives discussed in the article.
Major Port Authorities Act, 2021: Legislation enhancing autonomy and private investment in major ports.
Merchant Shipping Act, 2025: Legislation aimed at promoting tonnage under the Indian flag.
Coastal Shipping Act, 2025: Legislation simplifying license regime for coastal vessels.
National Shipbuilding Mission (NSbM): Nodal body for coordination, implementation, and monitoring of all shipbuilding initiatives.
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
GLOBAL PARTNERSHIPS IN SHIPPING SECTOR
प्रव तथ: 13 DEC 2025 5:49PM by PIB Delhi
The Government has been actively engaging with foreign Governments, multilateral organisations and
global maritime industry partners for collaboration in ports, shipping and maritime logistics. These
include partnerships for port modernisation, development of shipping infrastructure, green shipping
initiatives, digitization and maritime skill development.
Notable recent engagements include India- Russia partnership to explore Northern Sea Route, Eastern
Maritime Corridor & training of Indian Seafarers in Polar Waters, Indo-Danish Centre of Excellence in
Green Shipping and India-Singapore partnership for Green & Digital Shipping Corridor. Further,
Deendayal Port Authority (DPA) in the state of Gujarat has collaborated with Port of Rotterdam for
setting up technically advanced, state of the art supply side facilities including storage, handling,
transportation and dispatch facilities for green hydrogen/green ammonia and derivatives at DPA, Kandla.
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is also allowed in port sector in India. DP World, UAE currently
operates container terminals at various location such as Jawaharlal Nehru Port in Maharashtra, Cochin
Port in Kerala, Chennai Port in Tamil Nadu. Further, DP World is also developing a container terminal at
Tuna Tekra, Deendayal Port in state of Gujarat. Similarly, PSA Singapore operates terminals at
Jawaharlal Nehru Port in Maharashtra.
The Government, through Joint Working Group meetings/bilateral meetings and Memorandum of
Understanding/ letter of Intent etc. has engaged with maritime countries like Norway, Netherlands,
Denmark, Italy, South Korea, Singapore, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Oman etc. to explore
avenues for possible collaboration. India Maritime Week 2025, which was organised in Mumbai from 27–
31 October 2025, elicited participation from over 93 countries, and involved more than 100,000 delegates
and stakeholders.
Key legislations that have been passed recently include:
The Merchant Shipping Act, 2025, to promote tonnage under the Indian flag
The Coastal Shipping Act, 2025, to simplify license regime for coastal vessels
The Indian Ports Act, 2025, for long-term planning & integrated development of ports
The Bills of Lading Act, 2025 and the Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, 2025 to eliminate outdated colonial-
era laws
The Marine Aids to Navigation Act, 2021, and Inland Vessel Act, 2021, modernizing inland water
transport, replacing outdated legislation to enhance safety, efficiency, and environmental protection
The Major Port Authorities Act, 2021 to enhance autonomy, provide greater flexibility, and attract private
investment, replaced the Major Port Trust Act,Various projects have been undertaken for technological, operational or capacity enhancement to
strengthen the cargo handling at ports, coastal shipping, cruise tourism and fisheries etc. Projects worth
more than Rs 40,000 crores to enhance the capacity and efficiency of Major Ports have been completed in
the last ten years.
Further, to strengthen digitalization, green shipping and maritime innovation across ports and waterways,
several initiatives have been/are being undertaken as follows:
Digitalization efforts across ports and waterways are focused on standardizing procedures, reducing
manual interventions, and improving information exchange between stakeholders. The One Nation One
Port Process (ONOP) initiative is being undertaken to standardize documentation processes and re-
engineer operational steps to lower transaction volumes and reduce cargo processing times. Other
initiatives such as, the Maritime Single Window (Sagar Setu), e-Samudra, e-Pariksha, and Jalyan &
Navic are strengthening IT systems, to increase operational efficiency in maritime sector.
Measures are being undertaken to support environmental objectives in maritime sector. “Harit Sagar”
Green Port guidelines, launched in 2023 provide a framework to Indian ports for reducing carbon
footprint. Other measures include adoption of alternate fuels, low/zero-emission equipment, and
integration of renewable energy. Three ports are being developed as Green Hydrogen hub ports, and the
Green Tug Transition Programme outlines a phased shift from conventional tug vessels to low-emission
alternatives.
Further, the Government of India, approved a comprehensive package of
₹69,725 Crore to revitalize the country’s shipbuilding and maritime ecosystem. The initiative adopts a
four-pillar approach aimed at developing a globally competitive, technologically advanced, and
sustainable maritime sector. These include Shipbuilding Financial Assistance Scheme (SBFAS),
Maritime Development Fund (MDF), Shipbuilding Development Scheme (SbDS) and policy,
technology, and institutional reforms. National Shipbuilding Mission (NSbM) will serve as the nodal
body for coordination, implementation, and monitoring of all initiatives under this framework.
This information was given by the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda
Sonowal Ji, in a written reply to the Lok Sabha.
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