Maritime Council approves plans for massive multi-state shipbuilding park at Goa meeting

Goa: The 20th State Maritime Development Council (MSDC) concluded on Friday in Goa with notable outcomes for India’s maritime sector, including plans for a massive shipbuilding park spanning several states. This ambitious initiative aims to consolidate shipbuilding capabilities across regions, fostering greater efficiency and innovation.

The two-day event also saw the resolution of over 80 critical issues between the Union Government, States and Union Territories, including port infrastructure modernisation, connectivity and security; regulatory compliance; maritime tourism; navigation projects; and sustainability.

Several new and emerging challenges were also addressed, including establishing places of refuge for ships in distress, developing radioactive detection equipment infrastructure to enhance safety at ports, and recognising seafarers as essential workers and ensuring better working conditions and access to shore leave, according to a statement from the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.

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The meeting also discussed the implementation of a state classification framework and port classification system, with the aim of fostering healthy competition and improving performance across the Indian maritime sector.

The meeting was chaired by Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Inland Waterways. Attendees included Shantanu Thakur, Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Inland Waterways; Aleixo Sequeira, Minister for Harbour Mastership of Goa; Devendra Kumar Joshi, Lieutenant Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands; Mankala S Vaidya, Minister for Fisheries, Ports and Inland Waterways of Karnataka; Thiru EV Velu, Minister for Public Works Department of Tamil Nadu; and T K Ramachandran, Secretary, Ministry of Ports and Shipping.

At the meeting, Sonowal highlighted the importance of MSDC’s contribution and said, “MSDC has been instrumental in aligning policies and initiatives such as the Indian Ports Act and the Sagarmala programme. MSDC’s efforts over the last two decades have facilitated the growth of over 50 minor ports, which now handle over 50% of India’s annual cargo. As major ports approach saturation, these minor ports will play a crucial role in the future of India’s maritime sector.”

Growth story

He added that the Indian maritime sector was growing like never before. The cornerstone of India’s 13th largest port, worth ₹A Rs 76,220 crore port was laid at Vadhavan in Maharashtra on August 30, and the government has designated Galathea Bay in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands as another major port. ₹The project, which will cost Rs 44,000 crore, will be developed through a public-private partnership and aims to capture transshipped cargo currently handled outside India. The first phase is expected to be operational by 2029, Sonowal said.

The Sagarmala programme, approved by the Union Cabinet in 2015, envisages completion of a total of 839 projects by 2035 with an estimated investment of ₹5.79 billion. Of these, 262 projects have already been completed at a cost of approximately ₹1.40 billion and another 217 projects valued at around ₹Projects worth USD 1.65 trillion are currently being implemented, spanning several sectors and requiring coordination between Union Ministries, State Governments, major ports and other agencies.

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To facilitate the conduct of business in the maritime sector, MSDC has launched a National Port Safety Committee (NSPC) application on the National Single Window System. It aims to streamline regulatory processes, improve efficiency and reduce costs. The platform enables real-time performance monitoring to improve operational efficiency of various departments through better information sharing.

Resolution of maritime disputes

The launch of the Indian International Maritime Dispute Resolution Centre (IIMDRC) also marks an important milestone. This platform will offer merit-based and industry-driven solutions to resolve maritime disputes efficiently, addressing the multi-modal, multi-contractual, multi-jurisdictional and multi-national nature of maritime transactions. The IIMDRC positions India as a global hub for arbitration, in line with the ‘Resolve in India’ initiative.

Another notable launch was that of the Indian Maritime Centre (IMC), a policy think tank designed to bring together maritime actors currently operating in silos. The IMC aims to foster innovation, knowledge sharing and strategic planning.

A highlight of the event was the keel laying ceremony of India’s largest dredger, a 12,000 cubic metre trailed suction hopper dredger at Cochin Shipyard Limited, built in collaboration with IHC Holland.

Several maritime boards presented their innovations at the MSDC. The Kerala Maritime Board showcased its techniques for monetizing dredging efforts, while the Gujarat Maritime Board shared a case study on port-led urban development initiatives. The Andhra Pradesh Maritime Board presented a maritime development master plan and the Indian Coast Guard shared a successful case study on the Maersk Frankfurt fire rescue operation.

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Sonowal also spoke about the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) in Lothal, Gujarat, which he said would serve as an international tourist destination that would showcase India’s rich maritime heritage. The NMHC will see international collaborations with 25 countries. MoUs have been signed with Portugal, the UAE and Vietnam, and talks with France, Norway, Iran and Myanmar are in advanced stages. Maharashtra and Gujarat have already developed their state pavilions for the NMHC, and coastal states have been encouraged to participate and showcase their maritime heritage.