YEAR END REVIEW 2022 - Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways

• 02 Jan 2023

For Prelims: PM Gati Shakti and National Logistic Portal, ‘Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMSSY), North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), ‘Make in India’, Initiatives of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.

For Mains: Significance of Sagarmala Programme as far as trade and commerce of India is concerned.

SAGARMALA PROGRAMME

• Institutional framework for Sagarmala Project approved by the Cabinet.
• National Sagarmala Apex Committee has been formed for overall policy guidance and high-level coordination.
• National Maritime Heritage Complex, Lothal:
  • Setting up of a National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal proposed to be implemented in 3 phases.
  • It would be the first of its kind world class Museum complex and an international tourist destination in the country to showcase India's rich Maritime Heritage dating back from Harappan times.
• Ro-R/Ro-Pax:
  • Sagarmala programme, Ro-Ro/Ro-Pax and passenger jetty projects across several routes have been taken.
  • One of the key impact projects is the ROPAX ferry between Ghogha – Hazira (Gujarat) which resulted in reduction of travel time from 10 hours to 4 hours.
  • Similarly, to ease the road congestion in Mumbai, the government launched ferry service between Mumbai-Mandwa resulting in reduction of distance of 109 km by road to 18.5 km sea-distance, time reduction from 3 hours to just 45 minutes.
• Coastal Shipping:
  • Promotion of Coastal Shipping is the topmost priority of the Ministry under Sagarmala.
  • In order to facilitate the growth of coastal trade, a prospective plan up to 2025 on development of coastal shipping in India has been prepared by the Asian Development Bank.
  • Other Efforts:
    • Reduction of GST on bunker fuel from 18% to 5%.
    • Cabotage relaxation for cargo vessels.
    • Integration of inland and coastal cargo.
    • Subsidy support to Indian shipping companies.
    • Green channel clearance for coastal cargoes and priority berthing for coastal vessels at major ports
  • GOI is providing assistance for construction or upgradation of exclusive coastal berths, platforms or jetties, mechanization of coastal berths, and capital dredging.
  • With the advent of PM GatiShakti and National Logistic Portal, Coastal shipping will get further required boost and will help in realizing the goal of bringing down the overall logistic cost.
• Cruise Terminals
  • Upgradation/Modernization of the International Cruise Terminal at Indira Dock, Mumbai.
  • The Ministry is providing assistance to Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port for Development of River Cruise Terminal and River Tourism Facility Along with Riverfront Beautification Work.
• Coastal Community Development:
  • For the welfare of fishermen community, the Ministry is part-funding fishing harbor projects in convergence with Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying (MoFAH&D) under their Centrally Sponsored Scheme ‘Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMSSY).
  • The Ministry under Sagarmala Program has taken up modernization of 5 Major Fishing harbors at Major Ports.
• Skill Development:
  • Phase 2 of Sagarmala Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushal Yojana (DDUGKY) for convergence for skill development in Port and Maritime Sector is progressive in Gujarat, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
  • 2400 candidates have been trained during Phase 2 of the program of which around 1200 candidates have been placed in logistics, ship breaking, tourism and hospitality industries.
  • Multi-skill Development Centres (MSDC) are being set up at all major ports. MSDCs linked to Jawaharlal Nehru Port are operational.

Ports Sector

• Major Port Authorities Act, 2021:
  • The Major Port Authorities Act 2021 has come into force with effect from 03.11.2021.
• Conciliation and Settlement Committee for Major Ports:
  • Commercial dispute resolution through Arbitration or Courts has been found to be exceedingly time consuming and financially burdensome on commercial entities like Major Ports.
  • An alternate dispute resolution mechanism was set up for Major Ports through appointment of a Conciliation & Settlement Committee (CSC) composed of independent experts.
  • Fee to conciliators based on success.
  • Specified time limit of 6 months for resolution of disputes.
• JNPA SEZ Investor Conclave 2022:
  • Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA), organized ‘JNPA SEZ Investor Conclave 2022’ in association with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in Mumbai for investors to invest and be a part of the country's growing port-led economy.
• Jawaharlal Nehru Port becomes first 100% Landlord Major Port:
  • The PPP mode of investment in Indian ports has made remarkable progress in the last 25 years.
  • JNP has become the first major port of the country to become a 100% landlord port having all berths being operated on PPP model.
• Chabahar Day – In presence of Union Minister of PS&W:
  • The Ministry in association with India Ports Global observed ‘Chabahar Day’ to promote Chabahar Port.
  • Chabahar Port is operated by IPGL as a link to the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) Connecting Central Asian Markets in Mumbai.
  • MoPSW visited Shahid Behestti port at Chabahar in Iran to review the progress in the development of the port.
  • Handed over Six mobile harbor cranes to Indian Ports Global Chabahar Free Trade Zone (IPGCFTZ) at the Chabahar port to improve the cargo handling capacity of the port.
• Swachh Sagar Surakshit Sagar Campaign:
  • All Major Ports actively participated and organized awareness activities under the Swachh Sagar Surakshit Sagar campaign.
  • It involves events like Cleaning Drive at Beaches, along Coastal Roads, Port premises etc.
• PM Gati Shakti Multimodal Maritime Summit 2022:
  • PM Gati Shakti Multimodal Maritime Summit 2022 organized by Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port to highlight the need of transformation in Maritime & Logistics Industry.

Inland Water Transport

• Inland Vessels Act, 2021:
  • The Rules under the Inland Vessels Act, 2021 were drafted and notified to start a unified regime of inland vessel registration, certification and specifications through the country, instead of State-wise regulations under the previous Inland Vessels Act, 1917.

SHIPPING SECTOR

• Make in India:
  • The Ministry issued revised notifications on following subjects:
    • To encourage ‘Make in India’ and to promote manufacturing and production of goods and services in India to enhance income and employment.
• Marine Aids to Navigation Act, 2021:
  • The Act replaces the old Lighthouse Act,1927 and incorporates the global best practices, technological developments and India's International obligations in the field of Marine Aids to Navigation.
  • The new Act will facilitate harmonized and effective functioning of aids to marine navigation and Vessel Traffic Services along the Indian coastline.
• All Women Officers’ Sailing 2.0 on M.T. Swarna Godavari (Women Empowerment).