Ministry is focusing on creating market enabling environment for trade : Sonowal
NEW DELHI : Ministry is focusing on creating market enabling environment for trade. Ports act as gateways for International Trade. Ports are moving towards PPP model wherein the terminals/ berths are operated by Private Operators who have experience in international terminal/ berth operations. These concessionaires act as a link towards augmenting trade relations between hinterland and international market through shipping lines.
Under the Holistic Development Plan for Great Nicobar Islands of Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways is entrusted with the responsibility of development of an International Container Transhipment Hub at Galathea Bay in Great Nicobar Islands.
The details of traffic handled at Major Ports during the last three years are given below:-
| Year | Traffic (in Million Tonnes) |
| 2022-23 | 795 |
| 2021-22 | 720.05 |
| 2020-21 | 672.68 |
The Port Health Organisation (PHO) module under SAGAR SETU – National Logistics Portal (Marine) has been launched by the Ministry. PHO will now be used to grant permission to ships to enter or leave the ports through this module online which will be bring in transparency, efficiency and Ease of Doing Business (EODB).
This information was given by the Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal in a written reply to the Lok Sabha.