Mansukh Mandaviya & Major Port Chairpersons brainstorm on key issues & initiatives during three-day ‘Chintan Baithak’

Maritime India Vision 2030 finalised & ready to be implemented soon’

The three-day ‘Chintan Baithak’ of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, which concluded last week, was an extensive brainstorming session, chaired by Mr Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways (Independent Charge), with the Chairpersons of all the Major Ports and senior officials of the Ministry. It was held from January 21 to 23 at the Tent City, Dhordo, Kutch, Gujarat.

Various sessions, including on new initiatives like coastal routes, were held, which identified measures with respect to urban transportation covering the entire coastline of India. Efficient utilisation of core and non-core assets of Major Ports were deliberated. Technologies like Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Big Data, Geo Fencing, Data-driven traffic management in ports, IoT-based truck platooning, GIS-based cargo tracking, etc. were discussed to simplify and smoothen the operations of Major Ports in order to convert the ports into ‘Smart Ports’ and further into ‘Intelligent Ports’ as envisioned in Maritime India Vision 2030.
Possibilities for restructuring Indian Ports Association and creating India’s first ever Maritime Arbitration Centre to resolve maritime disputes in India itself, instead of going to other countries, were explored. Probabilities of establishing satellite ports for reducing the congestion at, and burden on, Major Ports, and attracting more cargo were also discussed.

Proposed domestic and international routes of RoRo and Ro-Pax ferry services were reviewed. While reviewing new proposed locations for seaplane operations, it was noted that Expression of Interest (EoI) for seaplanes has received overwhelming response. Ways to improve the share of coastal cargo movement were explored. The roadmap of manpower planning up to 2035 at all the Major Ports was also examined.

In his closing remarks, Mr Mandaviya said, ‘‘Our larger goal is to regain India’s maritime glory. With this Chintan Baithak, the coordination between all Major Ports will be more streamlined and they will be able to work with more synergy to achieve common goals. On the concluding day of Chintan Baithak, I am happy as well as hopeful as Maritime India Vision 2030 is finalised and ready to be implemented soon. I advise Chairpersons of all Major Ports and officials to work with optimism, dedication and motivation to put India on the world map as the maritime leader.