Significance of the Maritime Sector:
Trade Backbone: India’s 7,500 km coastline, 12 major ports, and 200+ minor ports play a crucial role in international trade.
Strategic Importance: Proximity to key global shipping routes in the Indian Ocean boosts India’s geopolitical significance.
Employment Generation: The maritime industry supports millions of jobs across ports, shipping, fisheries, and allied sectors.
Key Components:
Ports: Serve as gateways for trade and play a pivotal role in logistics.
Shipping: Includes merchant fleets for cargo and passenger transport.
Inland Waterways: Provide an eco-friendly and cost-effective mode of transport.
Shipbuilding and Repair: Critical for supporting naval and commercial shipping needs.
Current Infrastructure:
Major Ports: 12 major ports handle over 60% of the country’s cargo traffic.
Inland Waterways: Five National Waterways (NW1-NW5) are operational, with more under development.
Coastal Shipping: Accounts for a small share of domestic freight movement, but has significant growth potential.
Growth Indicators:
India aims to increase its share in global trade to 5% by 2047 (currently around 2%).
Growth in sectors like manufacturing, renewable energy, and defense necessitates enhanced maritime infrastructure.
Expanding Port Infrastructure:
Increase port capacity to handle 3 billion metric tonnes annually by 2047.
Modernize existing ports with smart technologies, automation, and green practices.
Developing Inland Waterways:
Build 50+ operational waterways to reduce logistics costs and decongest roads and railways.
Enhance connectivity between hinterlands and ports.
Boosting Coastal Shipping:
Promote coastal shipping for domestic freight to reduce carbon emissions and transportation costs.
Develop infrastructure for roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) and passenger services.
Shipbuilding and Repair:
Establish world-class shipyards and repair facilities to reduce reliance on imports.
Support indigenization in naval shipbuilding under “Make in India.”
Inadequate Infrastructure:
High Logistics Costs:
Environmental Concerns:
Policy and Regulatory Hurdles:
Sagarmala Programme:
Launched to modernize ports, enhance port connectivity, and promote coastal communities.
Focused on reducing logistics costs and driving economic growth through maritime trade.
2. Maritime India Vision 2030:
Aims to position India as a global hub for maritime trade.
Proposes investments in port-led development, shipbuilding, and technology.
3. Gati Shakti Plan:
Multi-modal logistics framework to integrate road, rail, air, and water transport.
Enhances connectivity to ports and industrial corridors.
4. Inland Waterways Development:
National Waterways Act (2016) identified 111 waterways for development.
Promotes eco-friendly cargo movement.
Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs):
Technology Integration:
Special Economic Zones (SEZs):
Blue Economy:
Indian Ocean Region (IOR):
International Cooperation:
Policy Reforms:
Capacity Building:
Green Maritime Practices:
Monitoring and Accountability:
India’s maritime sector holds immense potential to drive economic growth, enhance global trade competitiveness, and strengthen strategic capabilities. The envisioned $1 trillion investment by 2047 will not only modernize infrastructure but also create a resilient, sustainable, and globally competitive maritime ecosystem.
For UPSC aspirants, a deep understanding of this sector equips them to address key developmental challenges and contribute to realizing India’s vision of maritime excellence.
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