Vice Admiral Puneet Kumar Bahl, AVSM, VSM (Retd)
In this concluding part. two key initiatives of the Government of India that are truly global in vision and focused on implementation are discussed. We end this series highlighting some key challenges ahead and potential solutions.
Gatishakti Initiative[1]. Another initiative of crucial importance, the PM Gatishakti Logistics Infrastructure Master Plan has 434 Projects including 42 dealing with port connectivity. These aim to harmonise the efforts of 44 Ministries and agencies to align road, rail & maritime infrastructure for seamless logistics operations.
National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC). One other important initiative is the development of the largest maritime museum in the world under the aegis of the Sagarmala Programme. NMHC will showcase the rich maritime history and legacy of India. Located in Lothal, Gujarat (the Southernmost site of Indus Valley Civilisation), Phase 1A is planned to open in September 2025 and is expected to attract 25,000 daily visitors[2].
Key Challenges in achieving India’s Maritime Vision
The Maritime Development roadmap of India is clearly defined and has been covered in detail in this article. Attempts are being made to weed out the challenges efficiently to realise the vision. The key challenges that need to be addressed cover areas pertaining to finances, regulation, availability of skilled labour, technology and pollution among others. Difficulty in accessing financing from banks and financial institutions deters private sector participation. Unlike foreign counterparts, Indian shipowners cannot use ships as collateral, making financing difficult and the Government is looking at this aspect. The ₹25,000 crore MDF aimed at improving access to capital for shipowners will need financial commitment over the 49% stake, which the Government has pledged, and if this does not happen in good time, it will raise concerns about its sustainability. PLI schemes or other initiatives need to be rolled out at an early date as without these, many shipbuilders will find the scaling up unviable. The MoPSW is examining a PLI option. Regulatory issues, shortages of skilled labour and operational inefficiencies as a result of outdated port designs and shallower depths of water result in bottlenecks for quick turnaround times and increased cargo volumes, which are a work in progress. The dredging sector in India faces operational challenges such as lack of standardization, outdated equipment, inefficient soil investigation, and a shortage of trained personnel and this also needs to be addressed as we look at expanding capacities of existing ports and building newer ones. Cutting edge technology & expertise needs to be infused in building a range of high quality and eco-friendly ships, an area where countries like China, South Korea and Japan with their advanced industries have already acquired head start and runaway success, making it difficult for Indian industry to compete.
Foreign-flagged vessels, often registered in tax havens, enjoy easier access to capital, lower borrowing costs, and lenient regulations. Their ownership structures allow them to operate with minimal regulatory oversight, making them far more competitive than Indian-flagged ships. High input costs (especially steel), dependence on imports for spare parts, and delays in vessel deliveries adds to the challenges for Indian companies[3]. In the fishing sector, issues pertain to unplanned and unscientific overexploitation in some areas, risking long-term sustainability and issues pertaining to marine biodiversity. Global warming, rising sea levels, ocean acidification and unexpected weather patterns pose challenges to coastal ecosystems and communities. Though awareness levels are increasing by the day, pollution from plastics, chemicals and oil spills continues to adversely affect the environment, with adverse consequences for marine life and coastal populace. Resistance from local fishermen and businesses also retard developmental activities for large scale cruise projects due to apprehensions related to displacement of affected resident communities. Despite these challenges, the Indian maritime sector is poised for unparalleled growth in the coming decades.
Conclusion
It can thus be seen that India’s maritime sector is proving to be pivotal for its progress towards achieving the status of Viksit Bharat by 2047. This progress is driving economic growth, security, and connectivity. Strategic initiatives like SAGARMALA, MIV 2030 and MAKV 2047 are ensuring development of the blue economy and transforming India in this important area. With a clearly defined pathway and a committed approach by the Government and all the stakeholders, progress has been made slowly, but surely and steadily. With sustainable practices and innovation on the radar, India is charting a resilient and inclusive maritime future for the Nation.
[1] Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, “PM Gatishakti National Master Plan”, PIB press release, 04 April 2025
https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2118874
[2] Wikipedia, “National Maritime Heritage Complex”, last modified, 23 November 2024, at 02:54 (UTC),
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Maritime_Heritage_Complex
[3] Vajiram and Ravi, sourced from Hindu, “Some Wind Behind the Sails of India’s Shipping Industry”, Vajiram and Ravi Institute for IAS Examination, 04 February, 2025
https://vajiramandravi.com/upsc-daily-current-affairs/editorial-analysis