The ministry held its Chintan Shivir at Munnar, Kerala, to identify goals and hold discussions about ideas for making India Atmanirbhar in maritime
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways (MoPSW) has stated that it will provide 30% financial support for the promotion of green shipping, as well as the development of a single-window portal to facilitate and monitor river and sea trips.
Sarbananda Sonowal, Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, made five key announcements at the end of the ministry's second Chintan Shibir in Munnar, Kerala, emphasising on green shipping and port digitisation.
"The Panch Karma Sankalp" includes— MoPSW to provide 30 per cent financial support for the promotion of Green Shipping; Deendayal Port and VO Chidambaranar Port, Tuticorin, to be developed as Green Hydrogen Hubs; Jawaharlal Nehru Port and VO Chidambaranar Port, Tuticorin to become smart ports by next year," an official statement said.
On Sunday, the ministry launched its Chintan Shivir in Munnar, Kerala, to define aims and discourse on ideas for making India Atmanirbhar in marine.
According to the release, Sonowal further stated that he would examine progress towards these targets in a mid-year Chintan in a few months and that harsh action would be taken if the project was not completed on time.
The second day of the Chintan Shivir was devoted to increasing port administration, standardisation, and cargo handling share in major ports, as well as how to improve cargo, VGF, and PPP in Inland Waterways and Coastal Shipping.
According to the statement, the implementation of numerous initiatives to encourage coastal shipping, along with the development of coastal berth infrastructure under the Sagarmala programme, has resulted in a major increase in cargo transportation by coastal shipping.
The cargo handled by coastal shipping increased to 151 million metric tonnes per year (MMTPA) in 2022-23, up from 74 MMTPA in 2014-15.
Furthermore, freight handling via IWT has shown constant expansion, from 30 million tonne per annum (MTPA) in 2014 to 126 MTPA in 2022-23.
Shivir closed with a conversation about effective governance, work culture, and leadership, according to the release.