Ports and Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal informed the Lok Sabha today that the government has undertaken port modernization projects valued at ₹11,083 crore since the financial year 2022.
These efforts contribute to the broader Maritime India Vision 2030, which aims to enhance the country’s port infrastructure.
Sonowal reported that the government has initiated 75 port infrastructure projects across all major ports from FY 2021-2022 to FY 2023-2024.
The government has already utilized ₹5,741 crore of the total ₹11,083 crore earmarked for these projects over the past three years.
These developments reflect the government’s commitment to upgrading India’s ports and improving the maritime sector’s efficiency.
As part of its modernization drive, the Ministry of Ports and Shipping is also focusing on adopting sustainable practices at the country’s major ports.
The minister revealed that all 12 major ports are integrating green technologies to reduce emissions from port activities.
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These initiatives are in various stages of implementation, with an emphasis on achieving substantial carbon emission reductions in the future.
Key green initiatives further include expanding the use of renewable energy, providing shore-to-ship power supply, electrifying port equipment and vehicles, and installing energy-efficient technologies.
These steps are expected to significantly contribute to India’s environmental sustainability goals.
In a significant development, the Lok Sabha passed the Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2024.
This new legislation replaces the colonial-era Carriage of Goods by Sea Act and aims to modernize the country’s maritime legal framework.
The bill seeks to enhance the Ease of Doing Business (EODB) and align India’s maritime laws with contemporary commercial practices.
The previous law, rooted in the century-old Hague Rules, had become outdated and complex, hindering the sector’s growth.
The new bill addresses these limitations, providing clearer language and a framework that is better suited to modern maritime commerce.
Minister Sonowal emphasized that the passing of this bill is a crucial step toward fulfilling Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of updating India’s legal framework to be more efficient, relevant, and globally competitive.
By shedding colonial-era legacies, the bill further strengthens India’s position as a leader in maritime commerce, fostering investor confidence and propelling the country toward becoming a ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India).
In addition to the Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, Sonowal further introduced the Indian Ports Bill, 2025, aimed at consolidating laws related to port management and promoting integrated development across India’s ports.
The bill’s provisions include optimizing the use of India’s extensive coastline and empowering State Maritime Boards to manage non-major ports.
Additionally, the formation of the Maritime State Development Council under the bill will help foster structured growth and ensure more effective management of the port sector, positioning India’s maritime industry for long-term success.
These legislative steps reflect the government’s strong focus on making India’s maritime sector future-ready and globally competitive.
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