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

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...

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

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...

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

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...

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

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...

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

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...

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

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...

Greenfield shipbuilding cluster to come up in Gujarat’s Porbandar; Centre backs ₹1,570 crore Vadinar ship repair project

July 15, 2026 4:17 PM

Greenfield shipbuilding cluster to come up in Gujarat’s Porbandar; Centre backs ₹1,570 crore Vadinar ship repair project

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has accorded in-principle approval to two major maritime infrastructure projects in Gujarat—a Greenfield shipbuilding cluster in Porbandar district and a ₹1,570-crore ship repair facility at Vadinar—under the Shipbuilding Development Scheme (SbDS), in a move aimed at strengthening India's domestic shipbuilding and ship repair capabilities. The projects are part of the government's Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 and are intended to boost indig...

VOC Port emerges as green maritime leader with 45% cut in carbon emissions: Sarbananda Sonowal

June 24, 2026 5:58 PM

VOC Port emerges as green maritime leader with 45% cut in carbon emissions: Sarbananda Sonowal

Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal on Tuesday hailed the transformation of V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority into a national model for sustainable maritime development, highlighting its significant achievements in decarbonisation, renewable energy adoption, digital innovation and social infrastructure. Speaking at a series of events held at the port, Sonowal said VOC Port has emerged as one of India’s leading examples of environmentally responsible infrastruct...

Sarbananda Sonowal unveils ‘Maritime Reform Utsav’, pushes digital governance and faster maritime reforms

May 26, 2026 10:52 AM

Sarbananda Sonowal unveils ‘Maritime Reform Utsav’, pushes digital governance and faster maritime reforms

Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal on Monday chaired a high-level review meeting with senior officials of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), outlining a reform-driven roadmap to accelerate India’s maritime transformation in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of “Viksit Bharat 2047.” The meeting focused on strengthening governance, improving ease of doing business, enhancing digital integration, ensuring effective grievanc...

Women’s participation in maritime sector up 340% since 2020: Sarbananda Sonowal at Indian Ocean Dialogue

May 8, 2026 11:49 AM

Women’s participation in maritime sector up 340% since 2020: Sarbananda Sonowal at Indian Ocean Dialogue

Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal on Thursday said women’s participation in India’s maritime sector has surged by 340 per cent since 2020, highlighting the government’s efforts to build a more inclusive and future-ready maritime workforce. Addressing the 10th Indian Ocean Dialogue in New Delhi, Sonowal said initiatives such as “Sagar Mein Samman” are helping create greater opportunities for women in the maritime sector while promoting dignity, inclusi...