Sarbananda Sonowal

October 28, 2026 4:03 PM

Thoothukudi shipyard plan advances after Sarbananda Sonowal-Hyundai talks; project report expected in six months

India’s plan to build a $4-billion greenfield shipyard at Thoothukudi in Tamil Nadu moved forward on Wednesday as Union Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal met HD Hyundai Chairman Chung Ki-sun in Seoul to discuss investment and implementation arrangements. A joint working group will oversee project development, while the partners will work towards a joint venture structure. A detailed project report is expected to be finalised within six months. HD Korea Shipbuilding &a...

October 28, 2026 10:12 AM

Sarbananda Sonowal explores maritime partnerships in South Korea; Cyprus backs India’s ship-recycling bid

Union Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Tuesday held talks with South Korean maritime companies and institutions in Busan to explore investment, manufacturing and technology partnerships, while securing Cyprus’ support for European Union (EU) recognition of eligible Indian ship-recycling facilities. The engagements covered shipbuilding, specialised marine equipment, maritime financing, port infrastructure, shipping services and green technologies as India seeks to b...

October 16, 2026 12:03 PM

Sonowal Urges Students to Pursue Education with Dedication, Perseverance

Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal has urged students to remain focused on education and pursue their goals with dedication, hard work and perseverance. Addressing students at Manohari Devi Kanoi Girls' College in Dibrugarh, Assam, on Thursday, the Minister highlighted the importance of education in building a successful future. The event also witnessed the distribution of financial assistance under the Assam government's Nijut Moina and Nijut Babu schemes...

September 11, 2026 8:45 PM

NMHC Lothal Phase 1A crosses 82% completion; 13 nations join India’s maritime heritage project

Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal on Friday chaired the second Governing Council meeting of the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) Society, reviewing the progress of the ambitious maritime heritage project being developed at Lothal in Gujarat. The meeting was informed that Phase 1A of the NMHC has achieved around 82 per cent physical progress, with the revised completion target set for October 31, 2026. Sonowal described NMHC as one of the most signific...

September 10, 2026 11:23 PM

India eyes global hub status in ship ownership, leasing and maritime finance: Sarbananda Sonowal

India is charting a course to emerge as a global hub for ship ownership, leasing and maritime finance, with GIFT City in Gujarat positioned as a key platform for building a comprehensive maritime financial ecosystem, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said on Thursday. Addressing the India Ship Leasing and Financing Summit at GIFT City, organised by the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) in collaboration with the Ministry of Ports, Shippi...

August 25, 2026 7:34 PM

Govt plans to add 100 more new vessels to merchant fleet in next 5 years: Sonowal

The government plans to add 100 more new vessels to its merchant fleet over the next five years to cut USD 75 billion in freight bills, Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said on Tuesday. Currently, India has a merchant fleet of 1,600 seagoing ships. Addressing a press conference after the Sagar Samvad event in New Delhi, Sonowal said the National Shipping Board (NSB), established in 1958 and older than the ministry it advises, is tasked with ensuring that India’s shipping policy is formul...

August 9, 2026 12:30 PM

E-Samudra launched to digitise maritime governance, strengthen seafarer welfare

India on Saturday launched E-Samudra, a comprehensive digital platform aimed at transforming maritime governance by bringing services for seafarers, shipping companies, ports and other stakeholders under a single digital window. Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated the platform at a national stakeholder interaction on “Seafarer Security, Safety and Welfare and Inauguration of E-Samudra” in Mumbai. The initiative is part of a broader effort to make...

August 7, 2026 12:34 AM

Sarbananda Sonowal calls for technology-driven maritime security as India’s port network expands

Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal on Thursday called for a technology-led transformation of India's maritime security architecture, saying the country's expanding port network and growing role in global trade require resilient, integrated and future-ready security systems capable of addressing emerging cyber and geopolitical threats. Addressing the 2nd National Port Security Conference 2026 in New Delhi, Sonowal said India's ports should be evaluated not only b...

July 30, 2026 10:32 PM

India accelerates maritime expansion, targets over 700 MTPA additional port capacity by 2030

India is stepping up investments in ports, inland waterways and shipbuilding as part of its roadmap towards the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision, with the government targeting more than 700 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) of additional port capacity by 2030. Chairing a high-level review meeting on the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways' (MoPSW) Viksit Bharat targets, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal directed officials to accelerate the implementation of flagship projects while adhering to stri...