In a proud moment for the Indian maritime sector, India has officially secured the 3rd rank in building general dry cargo vessels for the European short sea trade market, according to private data shared by Union Minister of Ports & Shipping, Sarbananda Sonowal.
He credited this leap to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visionary “Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047”, which is pushing India towards global shipbuilding leadership.
Key Highlights: India’s Maritime Surge
- India now ranks 3rd globally in general dry cargo vessel construction for the European short sea trade.
- This achievement is part of the broader framework under Maritime India Vision (MIV) 2030 — India’s roadmap for maritime supremacy.
Progress So Far Under Maritime India Vision 2030:
- Major Port Capacity increased to 1630 MMTPA in FY24 (up from 1598 MMTPA in FY22).
- Vessel Turnaround Time reduced to 48 hours in FY24 (from 53 hours in FY22).
- Ship Berth Day Output improved to 18,900 MT/day in FY24 (up from 16,000 MT/day in FY22).
- Capital Expenditure surged by 37% to ₹7,571 crore in FY24 (from ₹5,527 crore in FY22).
- Gross Budgetary Support increased by 54% to ₹1,687 crore in FY24.
- 75 major port development projects awarded over 3 years — boosting capacity, efficiency, and global competitiveness.
Why This Matters:
- Positions India as a trusted shipbuilding partner for Europe.
- Reinforces India’s "Make in India, Make for the World" manufacturing strategy.
- Strengthens India’s role in global maritime trade and logistics supply chains.
- Opens doors for increased FDI in shipping, port infrastructure, and logistics tech.
The Road Ahead: Maritime India Vision 2030 Themes
- Port Infrastructure Modernization
- Coastal & Inland Waterways Development
- Boosting Indian Shipbuilding Capacity
- Logistics Efficiency Enhancement
- Sustainability and Green Shipping
- Technology & Policy Innovation