Highlights of Maritime India Summit 2021
The flagship initiative of the Minister of State for Ports, Shipping & Waterways (I/C), Government of India was organised in the month of March 2021 from 2nd of March-4th of March. The event comprised of a 3-day SUMMIT and Exhibition and was attended by various stakeholders in the maritime sector including senior and eminent policy planners, domestic and international investors, CEOs of Indian and global maritime companies, industry experts, thought leaders, technology providers, bankers and insurers, representatives of major ports and shipping lines from across the world.
Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Maritime India Summit 2021, organised by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, through video conferencing on Tuesday, March 2, 2021. This virtual summit brought together many stakeholders who can help India achieve great success in the Maritime sector.
Highlights of the Maritime India Summit 2021:
-
About 1.90 lakh delegates registered for the summit
-
10 international ministers from eight nations joined for different sessions
-
A total of six union ministers, chief ministers of three states and two state ministers joined for different sessions
-
A total of 55 CEOs joined during the CEO’s forum, which included 31 international CEOs and 24 Indian CEOs
-
A total of 22 CEOs joinedduring the CEO’s roundtable, which included 11 international and 11 Indian CEOs
-
A total of 185 speakers joined during the summit, which included 124 Indian speakers and 61 International speakers
-
A total of 110 exhibitors joined during the summit, in 18 pavilions and 107 booths, which led to 5,540 B2B meetings
-
A total of 486 MoUs have been signed between 22 Ports/ Authorities/ Agencies worth USD 47.01 Bn (INR 3.39 lakh crore)
-
400 investible projects identified worth USD 31.07Bn(INR 2.24 Lakh Crore) for investment
Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister announced that our country aims to operationalise 23 waterways by 2030 as domestic waterways prove to be cost effective and environment friendly ways of freight transportation. India is very determined and serious about the growth of the maritime industry and aims to emerge as a leading Blue Economy globally. The aim of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ is set to be accomplished through major focus on upgradation of infrastructure and magnification of the reform journey in the maritime domain.
The government has devised several plans and is investing in waterways in a way that has never been seen before. The focus is now shifted to the entire sector as one instead of the earlier piecemeal approach strategy. Also, Indian ports now have measures such as: Direct Port Delivery, Direct Port Entry and upgraded Port Community System (PCS) for easier data flow and access. The waiting time for the inbound and outbound cargo has also been alleviated considerably. The capacity of major ports has increased from 870 million tonnes in 2014 to 1,550 million tonnes now. More than 574 projects summing up to $82 billion or Rs 6 lakh crore have been taken up for implementation between 2015 and 2035, under the Sagarmala Project.
Modi further informed that the development of Mega ports with world class outstanding infrastructure is being carried out in Vadhavan, Paradip and Deendayal Port in Kandla, Gujarat. India has around 189 lighthouses scattered across the vast coastline. A programme has been drawn up to promote tourism in the land adjacent to 78 lighthouses. The main aim of this initiative is to augment the development of the existing lighthouses and the surrounding areas to transform them into unique maritime tourism landmarks.
The renaming of the Ministry of Shipping as the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways is a part of the government’s efforts to refurbish the ports and create outstanding world-class Inland Water Transport. It has also expanded the reach of the maritime sector.
The Prime Minister also announced that various steps are being geared up for the introduction of urban water transport systems in key states and cities like Kochi, Mumbai, Gujarat and Goa. Domestic shipbuilding and ship repair market is also getting focussed and an approval has been given to the Shipbuilding Financial Assistance Policy for Indian Shipyards to promote this. The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has listed 400 investable projects bearing an investment potential of $31 billion or Rs 2.25 lakh crores.
The Prime Minister further talked about the country’s plan to maximize investment in infrastructure and facilitate mutual agreement by 2026 as a part of its focus on trade and economic connections with BIMSTEC and IOR nations. He also said that the process of installation of solar and wind-based power systems at all the important ports of the country is in order with a key objective to amplify the consumption of renewable energy to more than 60 percent of the total energy by 2030 in three phases across Indian ports.
Modi brought an end to his speech by inviting the global investors to trust in India’s ports and its people and make India their preferred trade destination. This global invitation to everyone to become a part of India’s growth trajectory highlights the country’s strong determination to collaborate with the world and polish its future prospects.
About other
Amit Kumar, an ex Merchant Mariner is founder and CEO of Sea and Coast Maritime Magazine.
Following the career at sea, he went on to become a maritime journalist and aced it. He has acted as a liaison between stakeholders, dignitaries, navy veterans, shipping professionals and maritime fraternity through his popular exclusive columns in monthly publication of the magazine.
He presides the content, marketing and distribution team of the magazine which exclusively covers maritime affairs and has strived continuously for maintaining apex standard in educating world of complex and rapid changing shipping industry and global supply chain.
Sea And Coast