**Executive Summary**
On June 26, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated Goa’s new ₹48.87-crore Captain of Ports Terminal Building to modernize maritime administration and vessel navigation. The event marked the announcement of Phase-I implementation priority for the Goa Water Metro and the advancement of the Goa Shipbuilding and Ship Repair Policy. These initiatives align with the Sagarmala Programme and Maritime India Vision 2030 to enhance coastal connectivity and sustainable economic growth.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**New Captain of Ports Terminal Building**
* **Infrastructure:** A G+3 waterfront facility spanning over 4,405 square metres, built on a durable pile foundation with a composite steel-and-reinforced-concrete structure.
* **Administrative Hub:** Houses the Captain of Ports Department, hydrographic offices, navigational control infrastructure, and a radio communications centre.
* **Public Amenities:** Includes a double-height lobby, conference facilities, a 450-seat rooftop amphitheatre, an indoor restaurant, and an open terrace to generate revenue.
**Maritime Reforms and Policy Initiatives**
* **Legislative Leadership:** Goa is the first state to implement the Inland Vessels Act, 2021.
* **Upcoming Frameworks:** Plans were confirmed for the establishment of the Goa Maritime Board and the implementation of the Goa Shipbuilding and Ship Repair Policy and Maritime Master Plan.
* **Education:** The Goa Institute of Maritime Excellence (GIME) has been established to serve as a hub for maritime education, safety training, and skill development.
**Mormugao Port and Infrastructure Upgrades**
* **Green Status:** Mormugao Port has become India’s first "Green Port" and the first to introduce Green Ship Incentives.
* **Ongoing Projects:** Over ₹2,000 crore in projects are under implementation, including the redevelopment of Berth No. 9, the Vasco Bay Project (featuring a new fishing harbour), and capital dredging for deep-draft berths.
**Goa Water Metro**
* **Priority Status:** The proposed Goa Water Metro project has been elevated to Phase-I implementation priority to provide environment-friendly urban mobility.
* **Connectivity:** The project aims to enhance the tourism experience and provide efficient transport via the state’s inland waterways.
**Impact Analysis**
**Goa Captain of Ports Department**
**Impact**
The department gains a modernized administrative headquarters with improved vessel monitoring capabilities and new revenue-generating assets like the amphitheatre and restaurant.
**Action Required**
Relocate operational requirements to the new G+3 facility and manage the newly integrated navigational control and radio communication systems.
**Maritime Industry and Shipbuilders**
**Impact**
Stakeholders will benefit from the new Shipbuilding and Ship Repair Policy and incentives provided for green shipping practices at Mormugao Port.
**Action Required**
Align operations with the Inland Vessels Act, 2021 and the upcoming state maritime master plan.
**Commuters and Tourists**
**Impact**
The prioritization of the Goa Water Metro and the addition of modern floating jetties will improve urban mobility and river transport convenience.
**Action Required**
Transition to using the new water-based public transport systems once Phase-I of the Water Metro is operational.
**Students and Seafarers**
**Impact**
The establishment of the Goa Institute of Maritime Excellence (GIME) provides a dedicated center for maritime training and skill development.
**Action Required**
Engage with GIME for specialized training in vessel operations, inland waterways, and safety protocols.
Key Entities Referenced
Captain of Ports Terminal Building: A new ₹48.87-crore waterfront facility in Panaji, Goa, serving as the administrative hub for river navigation and vessel monitoring.
Goa Water Metro: An urban mobility project utilizing waterways, recently brought under Phase-I implementation priority to enhance state tourism and connectivity.
Inland Vessels Act, 2021: A key legislative framework implemented by the Goa government to modernize maritime reforms and inland waterway operations.
Goa Shipbuilding and Ship Repair Policy: A specialized policy initiative designed to strengthen the maritime ecosystem and industrial roadmap of the state.
Sagarmala Programme: The Government of India's flagship program for port-led development, with which the new maritime projects in Goa are aligned.
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
Sarbananda Sonowal Inaugurates Goa's new
Captain of Ports Terminal Building, Announces
Phase-I Priority for Goa Water Metro
Goa's maritime roadmap gathers momentum with board,
shipbuilding policy and master plan: Sarbananda Sonowal
Mormugao Port sets benchmark with Green Port status,
major infrastructure push
Posted On: 27 JUN 2026 3:17PM by PIB Delhi
On 26th June, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) Sarbananda Sonowal, in
Panaji, inaugurated Goa's new Captain of Ports Terminal Building, a ₹48.87-crore waterfront facility
designed to strengthen maritime administration, improve vessel monitoring and navigation, and support
the state's vision of sustainable maritime development.
The G+3 building, developed by the Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC), spans
more than 4,405 square metres and replaces the existing Captain of Ports office, which had become
inadequate for the department's growing operational requirements. Inspired by the form of a ship docked
along the riverbank, the new terminal overlooks the Mandovi River and has been designed to serve as both
an administrative hub and a landmark celebrating Goa's maritime heritage.
The inauguration was attended by Goa Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant, Union Minister of State
for Power and New & Renewable Energy Shripad Naik, Goa Minister for Captain of Ports,
Digambar Kamat, Goa Minister for River Navigation Subhash Phal Dessai, Members of Parliament,
Members of the Legislative Assembly, senior government officials and representatives of the maritime
sector.
Speaking on the occasion, Sarbananda Sonowal said the new facility represents far more than a
government building. “Today, we are dedicating much more than a building. We are dedicating a symbol
of Goa's maritime identity, its commitment to modernisation and its vision for a sustainable and people-
centric future.”
The new terminal has been built on a pile foundation using a composite steel-and-reinforced-concrete
structure to enhance durability along the riverfront. Besides housing the Captain of Ports Department, the
building includes modern passenger facilities, a double-height public lobby, conference facilities, marine
and hydrographic offices, navigational control infrastructure, a radio communications centre and public
amenities. A rooftop amphitheatre with a seating capacity of about 450, an indoor restaurant and an open
terrace have also been incorporated, enabling the facility to host public and maritime events while creating
additional revenue opportunities for the department.Highlighting the transformation of India's maritime sector over the past twelve years under Prime Minister
Narendra Modi, Sonowal said the country's ports have nearly doubled their capacity while vessel
turnaround time has been reduced from 95 hours to 41 hours. India's seafaring workforce has grown to
more than 3.23 lakh, coastal cargo movement has more than doubled, cruise passenger traffic has
increased more than fourfold, and operational National Waterways have expanded from three to 32.
Sonowal also noted that India has emerged as the world's leading ship recycling nation by gross tonnage,
reflecting the country's commitment to environmentally responsible and globally compliant maritime
practices.
The Union Minister praised the Goa Government for emerging as a leader in maritime reforms, noting that
Goa became the first state to implement the Inland Vessels Act, 2021. He said the proposed Goa Maritime
Board, the Goa Shipbuilding and Ship Repair Policy and the Maritime Master Plan would further
strengthen the state's maritime ecosystem.
Sonowal also highlighted the rapid development of the Mormugao Port Authority, where infrastructure
projects worth more than ₹1,300 crore have already been completed since 2014, while projects exceeding
₹2,000 crore are under implementation. These include the redevelopment of Berth No. 9, the Vasco Bay
Project with a new fishing harbour, capital dredging for deep-draft berths and a modern Seafarers' Club.
Mormugao Port has also become India's first Green Port and the first to introduce Green Ship Incentives.
In a major announcement, Sonowal said the proposed Goa Water Metro project has now been brought
under Phase-I implementation priority.
"Goa's waterways have immense potential to provide sustainable, efficient and environment-friendly
urban mobility. Under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, I am confident that
Goa will soon witness this transformative project becoming a reality while further enhancing the state's
tourism experience," Sonowal said.
The Union Minister also commended the Captain of Ports Department for strengthening river transport
through modern floating jetties, passenger terminals and improved navigational safety systems, which are
enhancing connectivity and commuter convenience across the state.
Congratulating the Goa Government on establishing the Goa Institute ofo Maritime Excellence (GIME),
Sarbananda Sonowal said the institute would emerge as a centre of excellence for maritime education,
inland waterways training, vessel operations, safety, water sports and skill development.
The Minister reaffirmed the Ministry's commitment to supporting Goa's maritime ambitions and said the
Centre would continue working closely with the state to develop world-class maritime infrastructure.
The Captain of Ports Terminal Building is expected to become the nerve centre for Goa's river navigation
administration while standing as a prominent architectural landmark reflecting the state's centuries-old
maritime legacy. The project also aligns with the Government of India's broader vision of port-led
development under the Sagarmala Programme and the Maritime India Vision 2030, which aim to
strengthen coastal connectivity, improve logistics efficiency and promote sustainable economic growth.***
MI/Indu
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