Maritime Sector of India

• Blue Economy Potential: 11,098-km coastline, resource-rich Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of 2.3 million square km, and 14,500 km of inland waterways
• Contribution to Gross Domestic Product (GDP): Currently 4%. 
• Ports: Nearly 95% of India’s trade by volume and around 70% by value handled through ports. 
  • In FY 2024–25, major ports handled ~855 million tonnes of cargo. 
• Inland Waterways: Recorded cargo movement of 146 MMT in 2025,  from 18 MMT in 2014. 

Existing Challenges in India’s Maritime Sector

• Ageing Fleets: India has many ships over 20 years old driving up maintenance costs, lowering operational efficiency, and exacerbating environmental concerns.
• Reliance on Foreign Fleets: India paid US$75 billion sea freight in 2023 to foreign-owned vessels. 
• Green Transition Hurdles: Adoption of green shipping practices hindered by high retrofit costs  (30-50% premium), skill gaps, and a lack of technological absorption capacity.

Key Initiatives for Promoting Maritime Sector

• Policy Actions: Sagarmala Programme (2015); Maritime India Vision (2030); Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision, 2047, etc.
• Development of New Ports: E.g., Vadhavan (Maharashtra), Galathea Bay in Great Nicobar Island as a transshipment hub, etc. 
• Legislative Reforms: Five landmark maritime acts concerning Indian Ports, Merchant Shipping, Carriage of Goods by Sea, Costal Shipping, Bills of Lading passed to replace obsolete laws. 
• Green Shipping:Harit Sagar Guidelines to decarbonise port and vessel operations, etc.