Ministry of Ports Shipping and Waterways

April 29, 2026 9:59 PM

India plans 62 new vessels with Rs 51,383 crore investment to boost Atmanirbhar shipping: Sarbananda Sonowal

India is set to significantly expand its maritime capacity with plans to add 62 vessels in FY 2026–27, backed by an investment of ₹51,383 crore, as part of a broader push towards self-reliance in the shipping sector, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said on Wednesday. Chairing a high-level inter-ministerial review meeting amid evolving developments in the Strait of Hormuz region, Sonowal outlined a roadmap to increase India’s shipping capacity by 2.85 mil...

April 27, 2026 5:47 PM

India accelerates inland waterways push with record cargo growth and expansion plans

India is steadily transforming its vast network of rivers, canals and backwaters into a modern, efficient and sustainable transport backbone, with inland waterways emerging as a key pillar of the country’s logistics and economic strategy. Backed by strong policy support and rising investments, the sector is witnessing rapid growth in cargo movement, infrastructure development and tourism potential. With 111 National Waterways spanning 20,187 kilometres across 23 states and four Union Territor...

April 5, 2026 4:05 PM

Major ports handle record 915 million tonnes cargo in FY26, surpass target

India’s major ports have recorded a strong performance in the financial year 2025–26, collectively handling 915.17 million tonnes (MT) of cargo, surpassing the annual target of 904 MT, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) said on Sunday. The cargo throughput marks a year-on-year growth of 7.06 per cent, reflecting improved efficiency, capacity expansion, and sustained momentum in the maritime sector. The achievement is seen as a key milestone in advancing India’s ambition...

March 25, 2026 1:53 PM

1,500 MT high-value cargo transported to Pandu via inland waterways

A high-value cargo consignment of around 1,500 metric tonnes has been successfully transported from Kolkata to Pandu in Guwahati via the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol Route, underscoring the growing efficiency of inland waterways in India. The shipment, dispatched by Tata Steel Limited for Larsen & Toubro Limited, comprised 23,980 bags of granulated blast furnace slag weighing approximately 1,199 metric tonnes, along with 300 metric tonnes of TMT bars. The cargo was transported using tug MV Tri...

March 19, 2026 12:10 PM

Centre approves Rs 472 crore road over bridge to boost Tuna-Tekra port connectivity

The Union government has approved a ₹472 crore project to construct a Road Over Bridge (ROB) along with associated infrastructure at Tuna-Tekra, in a move aimed at strengthening port connectivity and improving cargo evacuation. Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said the project will play a key role in enhancing logistics efficiency and supporting India’s growing maritime sector under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The project includes the ...

March 5, 2026 4:59 PM

India to build first riverine lighthouses on Brahmaputra to boost navigation and tourism

Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal on Thursday laid the foundation stones for four riverine lighthouses along the Brahmaputra River, marking the first time lighthouse infrastructure will be established on an inland waterway in the country. The foundation ceremony was held at Lachit Ghat and was organised jointly by the Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships (DGLL) and the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping...

February 27, 2026 12:16 PM

Centre clears Rs 797 crore green hydrogen jetty project at Paradip Port to boost clean energy logistics

The Centre has approved a ₹797.17 crore project to develop a dedicated green hydrogen jetty with allied infrastructure at Paradip Port Authority, marking a significant step in strengthening India’s clean energy logistics network. The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) cleared the project, which will be implemented on a build-operate-transfer (BOT) basis. The proposed facility will have a handling capacity of 4 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) and will cater to green hydrogen, ...

December 15, 2025 3:12 PM

India doubles down on making maritime sector greener, cleaner and sustainable

India stands at the threshold of a transformative maritime era - one that leverages its vast coastline, expanding industrial capacity and strategic location to not only strengthen trade and connectivity but also build a legacy of sustainability and resilience, an official statement said on Monday. The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) has outlined the Maritime India Vision 2030, a comprehensive blueprint aimed at empowering India’s maritime sector and steering it towards a gre...

August 12, 2025 9:27 AM

Parliament passes Merchant Shipping Bill, 2025 after Rajya Sabha adoption

Parliament on Monday passed the Merchant Shipping Bill, 2025, after the Rajya Sabha approved it during the ongoing session. According to the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, the bill is a landmark legislation aimed at modernising India's maritime framework. It aligns domestic laws with international best practices and International Maritime Organisation (IMO) conventions, ensuring that the country’s maritime sector remains equipped, ready, and relevant to contemporary and future cha...