India has secured the third position globally in constructing general dry cargo vessels for Europe’s short sea trade segment, marking a significant milestone in the nation’s shipbuilding ambitions and maritime industrial strategy. The development underscores India’s rising profile in global shipping, driven by policy reforms and capital investment under the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.
This leap forward is attributed to concerted efforts under the Maritime India Vision (MIV) 2030, a comprehensive roadmap designed to transform India’s maritime landscape across ports, inland waterways, shipbuilding, and logistics. The government’s vision, combining industrial capability with sustainable practices, is beginning to yield quantifiable results. According to officials from the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, India’s achievement in the European market for short-haul dry cargo vessels is a direct reflection of growing international confidence in the Indian shipbuilding ecosystem. It also validates the Make in India initiative’s extension into marine infrastructure and export-driven manufacturing.
The MIV 2030 outlines over 150 initiatives, structured across 10 themes, including infrastructure development, capacity expansion, innovation, skilling, and international trade alignment. These measures have translated into improved operational metrics across Indian ports. Over the last three fiscal years, port capacity increased from 1,598 MMTPA in FY22 to 1,630 MMTPA in FY24. Ship turnaround times at major ports were reduced from 53 hours to 48 hours, and berth day output surged to 18,900 MT from 16,000 MT. Equally notable is the financial commitment backing these advances. Capital expenditure under the ministry rose by 37% over three years, climbing to ₹7,571 crore in FY24, while Gross Budgetary Support jumped by 54%, reaching ₹1,687 crore. These figures reflect increased funding for strategic development projects aligned with MIV 2030.
Over 75 port development projects have already been awarded, with a clear emphasis on sustainability, logistics optimisation, and digital integration. These projects aim to create world-class multimodal transport nodes, reduce logistics costs, and enhance India’s export competitiveness. India’s ascent in the global shipbuilding arena is not just about capacity, but also about positioning itself as a reliable alternative to traditional manufacturing giants. With Europe’s short sea cargo trade focusing on decarbonisation and fleet renewal, Indian shipbuilders have an opportunity to cater to global demand for low-emission, efficiently built vessels.
This progress also supports the national objective of becoming a net zero carbon economy. The maritime sector’s shift toward electrification, renewable-powered ports, and fuel-efficient vessels positions India at the convergence of economic growth and climate responsibility. As India solidifies its place on the global shipbuilding map, the next phase will require balancing scale with innovation and integrating environmental stewardship into every link of the maritime value chain. For a country looking to lead the Blue Economy of the future, this recognition by global stakeholders signals a definitive shift from aspiration to action.
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