Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal has unveiled a comprehensive roadmap for maritime reforms and digital governance aimed at accelerating India’s transformation into a globally competitive maritime power under the vision of “Viksit Bharat 2047.”
The roadmap was presented during a high-level review meeting with senior officials of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, focusing on governance reforms, digital integration, infrastructure modernisation, ease of doing business, and long-term maritime sector growth.
According to the Ministry, the reform-driven strategy will prioritise digital governance systems, integrated maritime services, real-time monitoring platforms, grievance redressal mechanisms, and technology-led operational efficiency to modernise India’s maritime ecosystem.
A major component of the initiative includes the development of an integrated digital platform and mobile application under the Directorate General of Shipping. The proposed digital ecosystem is expected to provide real-time service delivery, digital documentation, integrated maritime services, and online grievance redressal facilities through a unified interface for shipping companies, port operators, logistics stakeholders, and maritime service providers.
During the review meeting, Sonowal emphasised that India’s maritime sector has undergone significant transformation under the government’s “Reform, Perform, Transform and Inform” framework. He stated that the upcoming “Maritime Reform Utsav” would showcase India’s achievements in ports, shipping, inland waterways, coastal infrastructure, green shipping, and digital maritime governance over the past 12 years.
The minister also directed officials to establish a dedicated monitoring and coordination mechanism for faster resolution of legal matters, project delays, stakeholder grievances, and pending ministry-related issues. The initiative aims to improve accountability, administrative efficiency, and project execution timelines across the maritime sector.
The roadmap places strong emphasis on leveraging advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, IoT, blockchain, geospatial systems, predictive analytics, and data-driven governance to improve operational transparency and service delivery within India’s maritime ecosystem.
Officials indicated that the Ministry will also undertake a detailed gap analysis of India’s maritime progress over the last 12 years to identify priority areas requiring accelerated policy support, institutional strengthening, infrastructure upgrades, and capacity-building initiatives in alignment with the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.
The reform agenda further highlights the importance of stronger coordination among ministries, state governments, port authorities, logistics operators, maritime institutions, and industry stakeholders to accelerate implementation of major infrastructure and connectivity projects.
India’s maritime sector is currently witnessing rapid expansion through investments in ports, inland waterways, coastal shipping, multimodal logistics, shipbuilding, cruise tourism, green shipping, and digital infrastructure under initiatives such as Maritime India Vision 2030 and PM Gati Shakti. The government aims to strengthen India’s position as a major global maritime and logistics hub over the coming decades.
Industry experts noted that digital transformation and governance reforms will play a critical role in improving port efficiency, reducing logistics costs, streamlining regulatory processes, and enhancing India’s competitiveness in global maritime trade. Integrated digital systems are increasingly viewed as essential for building future-ready maritime infrastructure and supporting the country’s blue economy ambitions.
