India’s maritime sector is on a transformational journey that the long-term Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 and the short-term Maritime India Vision 2030 seek to achieve through the vision outlined by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways. The aim here is to force India to global leadership in maritime trade, sustainable shipping, and port modernization. Through these moves, India would like to transform into a major driving force in an ever-changing maritime world. Here are some such plans and technology shaping the maritime future of India.
Key Initiatives Under Maritime India Vision 2030 & Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047
Maritime India Vision 2030 will develop the maritime capabilities of India in the next decade. It is based on infrastructure, technological advancement, sustainability, and industry growth. India would have emerged as a global leader in shipping, port operations, and maritime innovation by 2047. The key focus areas under these visions are as follows:
1. Port Modernization and Infrastructure Expansion
Port modernization has been the back-bone of India’s maritime strategy. It has proposed two major mega-ports-Vadhavan and Galathea Bay. It will have these two ports, developing major locations such as Deendayal Port Authority (Kandla), V.O. Chidambaranar Port (Tuticorin), and Paradip Port-to accommodate Panamax and Cape-size ships.
Other areas that will be
Promote digitalization of port functions to enhance seamless working and increase Vessel Turn Around Time (TAT) and, simultaneously, upgrade Berth Productivity.
Provide for Comprehensive Port Connectivity Plan through development of additional multimodal connectivity.
Operationalize six National Waterways to promote inland water transport capacity further in India All these projects would add port capacity significantly, with a multiplying effect on India’s maritime trade.
2. Shipbuilding and Ship Repair Facilitation
India commits itself towards development of home shipbuilding and ship repair capacity. The proposed New Shipbuilding and Ship Repair Policy under the Government of India intends to boost additional in manufacturing by increasing the spending capacity of Government of India towards the sector. It is designed through four Shipbuilding and Ship Repair Clusters towards facilitating this activity, and allowing maritime employment options to hundreds of thousands.
3. Green Initiatives and Sustainability
Maritimes Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 is heart-worn towards sustainability. The major initiatives undertaken include:
- Harit Sagar Green Port Guidelines: It has been launched with an aim to reduce carbon intensity at major ports by ensuring eco-friendly ecosystems.
- Development of Green Hydrogen/Ammonia Hubs at Deendayal Port, Paradip Port, and V.O. Chidambaranar Port as a part of the National Hydrogen Mission.
- GTTP will replace traditional harbour tugs operating on oil-based fuel by greener ones. It will give an idea for the launch of Harit Nauka guidelines to usher the greener option for inland waterways.
Greener option will help make India a leading country in the world in the year 2047 in sustainable shipping and port activities.
4. Boosting Cruise Tourism
India has launched the Cruise Bharat Mission to boost cruise tourism. Cruise Bharat plans to double the cruise passenger traffic by 2029 by September 2024. The country will become a global cruise hub with six new international cruise terminals, and it will contribute to tourism and economic development.
5. Skill Development and Maritime Collaboration
Most of this vision is set to skill the workforce required in sustaining this industry. This covers all of the following:
Training programs aimed at training specialists in ship building and marine operations. Partnerships with MSMEs in ship building. Sea farers shall be trained and positioned for the teaching profession in the maritime university and training colleges for purposes of maintaining stride with emergent demands within the industry.
These will ensure highly skilled workforces for the growth of India’s maritime industry.
Technological Innovation as the Driver of Maritime Transformation
Digitalization and smart technologies are in the heart of Maritime India Vision 2030 and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047. They include:
1. Digitalization and Smart Technologies
India is adopting smart technologies in its ports to make these more efficient and effective in the operations. Highlights include:
VHF Channels for Marine Navigation and Traffic Control Implementation of Centralized Project Management System to track the capital expenditure projects. Investment in Smart Communication Systems to be used between the network of the maritime institution.
The government has planned the implementation of National Logistics Portal Marine 2.0 and Maritime Single Window (MSW) by 2026. The idea is to double steam the functionalities of maritime operations and trade processes.
2. Artificial Intelligence in Port Operations
India is investing in AI-powered technologies that enhance port productivity. This includes an AI-based automated berth allocation system through machine learning and analytics for optimization of yard management by 2025.
3. Green Shipping and Sustainable Practices
India is pushing ahead on sustainable shipping practices. Some of the major initiatives are as follows:
Becoming an environmentally sustainable shipyard adopting the Hong Kong Convention by 2026. Five Green Hydrogen/Ammonia hubs and more than 1000 Green Vessels by 2029.
Conclusion: India’s Vision for a Global Maritime Future
India’s Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 is an ambitious roadmap to position the country to become a maritime leader in the world. The above strategic initiatives toward port modernisation, sustainable shipping, technological improvement, and tourism would make a way for India to advance maritime capabilities that can also contribute toward global trade while contributing toward sustainability objectives. All these efforts with the shifting of the nation’s move until 2047 would keep this nation in stride with world leadership on green issues and technological improvement.
Investing in infrastructure, innovation, and human resources will be the pre-eminent measures of preparing India to remake its maritime sector and unlock the new opportunities in the economic future of this country.
Source:
PIB, Link to article
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