CHENNAI
Since the dawn of civilisation, seafaring has been at the heart of human advancement. It connected continents, and facilitated trade, cultural interactions and the spread of knowledge. India has one of the earliest identified dockyards in history, in Lothal, in the Bhal region of Gujarat, which underscores the cultural exchange during the Harappan era. While much else has changed in travel and trade, boats and ports continue to be man’s constant companions.With a coastline of approximately 7,517km, and with 12 major ports, over 200 non-major ports and 30 shipyards, India’s vibrant maritime sector handles 95 per cent of the country’s trade by volume and about 70 per cent by value. Besides, the country also has a 14,500km network of navigable inland waterways―an environment-friendly, cost-effective yet underused mode of trade and transport. The Centre’s Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, formulated by the Union ministry of ports, shipping and waterways, aims to make India a global maritime powerhouse by 2047.
Embodying the spirit of this grand vision, THE WEEK brought together lawmakers, industry experts, policymakers, military intelligentsia and businessmen for its maiden Maritime Conclave with the theme ‘Voyage to Innovation: Navigating the Future’ on November 5, at Chennai’s ITC Grand Chola.The event, inaugurated by Union Minister of Shipping and Ports Sarbananda Sonowal, saw eminent minds discuss and dissect various aspects of the sector, including the role of private players in India’s 2047 vision, maritime security, challenges and opportunities in maritime financing, sustainable port modernisation and green shipping practices. In his presidential address, Riyad Mathew, Chief Associate Editor and Director, THE WEEK, noted that ports are going to be redefined under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and THE WEEK has realigned itself with this vision and the sector. A constant refrain at the conclave was the call to reclaim India’s glorious maritime past. “Voyagers Marco Polo and Niccolo de Conti, in their 12th and 15th century travel descriptions, mention Indian ships as being highly sophisticated, much larger, durable and versatile than other ships, with proficient seamen capable of sailing large ships to distant parts of the globe,” said Sonowal, adding that, as time passed, India became “sea-blind”. However, he did say that this blindness is now fading, and expressed confidence that the advanced port, shipping, coastal and inland waterway infrastructure that India is developing, along with a highly skilled maritime workforce, will help the country reach new peaks. Tamil Nadu Minister for Public Works, Highways and Minor Ports E.V. Velu, in his speech that was read out by R. Selvaraj, secretary, highways and minor ports, Tamil Nadu, cited historical records and literature to show how Tamil Nadu had played a crucial role in maritime trade, especially with exports in ancient times, and highlighted the initiatives taken by the state government to reclaim this glorious trading past.Dhruv Kotak, group managing director of JM Baxi, agreed with the two ministers when he said the future belongs to India. “We are seeing a huge opportunity for Indian entrepreneurs not just in the infrastructure space, but across the board,” he said. “There is no dearth of opportunity, be it in shipbuilding, terminals or green transition across the board.” Unmesh Sharad Wagh, chairman, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority, too, shares this vision of India marching to be among the top players in the sector in the near future, with sustainability leading the way. He exhorted private players to not miss the opportunity to be a major force in the field as shipping companies and ports continue to convert their fleets and infrastructure in line with global sustainable practices. Given India’s extensive coastline, reliance on sea routes for trade, and the strategic significance of the Indian Ocean Region―which hosts both friendly and hostile nations―the country’s maritime security is crucial for its national interest. Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar, AVSM, VSM, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command, said maritime power does not mean the size of the naval forces alone, but encompasses a wide range of things. “It includes shipbuilding, ports and hinterland connectivity, economic activity, sea-going expertise, the sustainable use of ocean resources, and, of course, the security apparatus,” he said. He, too, harked back to India’s ancient maritime enterprise―including the Chola dynasty’s adventures at sea―that had once made the country extremely prosperous, and said if India is to realise its 2047 vision, it has to become a much bigger maritime power.
Maritime security is also essential to ensure regional stability as free and open waters are a prerequisite for global trade and accessing water resources. Admiral Karambir Singh, former chief of the Indian Navy, too, highlighted how a robust security system is the need of the hour to address both traditional and non-traditional security challenges like illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, piracy and drug trafficking―complex socioeconomic problems that are also transnational in their origins, and have the power to cause political instability. “When you look at the complexity of these issues and the fact that they are interlinked, national solutions, sometimes, are inadequate to deal with these, and therefore, regional and multi-national collaborations are required,” he said.
Michaela Küchler, German consulate general, Chennai, listed several collaborations between India and Germany that aim to protect the seas from various threats, while Richard Chen, director general of Taipei Economic and Cultural Center in Chennai, observed how, despite the geographical distance, his country’s security and prosperity are deeply linked to the IOR.
India needs a strong shipbuilding ecosystem with adequate infrastructure and policy enablers, says the government’s maritime vision statement. Arathi Narayanan, vice president, Women in Shipping and Trade Association, and director and CFO, ABS Marine Services Pvt Ltd, pointed out that there is much to be desired as ship-owning is a capital-intensive sector that requires increased government support and aid. While the Maritime Development Fund, which offers long-term financial support to the maritime sector, is a great initiative, there is a need to expedite the modalities and the disbursements, ending the bureaucratic hurdles. Panellists at the interactive session on maritime financing, including Cochin Shipyard chairman and MD Madhu Nair, too, agreed that to propel the sector in a sustainable manner, innovative financing solutions, a conducive regulatory framework and tax incentives are of utmost importance.
The International Maritime Organization has set a target for international shipping to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, and the maritime vision of India aligns with this vision. Leveraging technological developments, from AI to IoT, is a factor that many, from Kotak to T.K. Ramachandran, secretary, ports, shipping and waterways, laid particular emphasis on. While there is an increased focus on modernisation of ports in tune with the ambitious environmental goals, modernisation does not always mean enhancing the physical capabilities of yards and ports alone, but involves the adoption of energy-efficient technologies, automation, use of AI, and supply chain management. The adoption of zero-carbon fuels, such as hydrogen or ammonia, and low-carbon fuels as alternatives to fossil fuels is also crucial. These, however, need to be guided by the twin principles of affordability and availability.
Inland waters play a crucial role in India’s maritime strategy as they offer a cost-effective, green means of transport, apart from tourism prospects. There are initiatives such as the SagarMala project, which aims to integrate inland waterways into the broader logistics framework of the country, but the potential of these waters remains largely untapped. Inland waterways transport still represents only 2 per cent of India’s cargo movement. Several steps are being taken to connect the inland waters to railways and terminals to ensure smooth movement of cargo. “Recognising this gap, India has set an ambitious target to carry 200 million metric tons of cargo by 2030 through its waterways,” said Vijay Kumar, chairman, Inland Waterways Authority of India. “This shift could transform the nation’s logistics framework, driving economic and environmental benefits.” The maritime sector is a largely male-dominated, opaque industry, said J.P. Irene Cynthia, IAS, MD of Kamarajar Port Limited, as she called for increased female participation in the sector. Creating awareness and bringing in policy changes to favour women are key. “If you can have ships crewed with women, at least 40 per cent, 50 per cent... and if you can have more and more ships, this is only a starting point,” she said. “We don’t always have to be partial towards women. But for a start, I think this can actually help more and more women enter the sector with confidence, with a safe ecosystem. Having a professional network helps in guidance, in counselling, and most importantly to voice out at the right time on right issues.” Perhaps Vice Admiral Pendharkar would agree with her as he, too, had called for increased awareness about the maritime sector among people as he felt this would encourage the nation to build its maritime power with increased focus and support. Shantanu Thakur, minister of state for ports, shipping and waterways, in his concluding address, praised the conclave and its participants, pointing out how THE WEEK’s maritime initiative is in perfect sync with the government’s vision to make India’s maritime economy world-class.