Mumbai, Sept. 1 -- The National Shipping Board (NSB) held the inaugural Sagar Samvad in New Delhi, bringing together policymakers, shipowners, financiers and cadets to outline a roadmap for maritime expansion. Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) Sarbananda Sonowal described a plan to add 100 vessels to India's foreign-dependent merchant fleet over the next five years as part of efforts to reduce the foreign freight bill. The event was presented as a platform to align the re-enacted Merchant Shipping Act, 2025 and new National Shipping Board rules with the Maritime India Vision 2030 and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.
The NSB submitted its annual and subcommittee reports and proposed a five point roadmap stressing fiscal reform, assured cargo support, access to competitive financing, regulatory streamlining and ease of doing business. Sonowal welcomed the roadmap and credited the Container Manufacturing Assistance Scheme, worth Rs100 bn, with encouraging domestic container production and attracting large orders from global shipping companies. The minister emphasised that these measures aim to ensure Indian shipowners participate in growth arising from expanded port capacity.
A session on maritime labour force challenges examined wage taxation, pension gaps and welfare provisions affecting seafarers and linked skilling to employment generation. The Union Minister of Labour and Employment and Youth Affairs and Sports outlined steps to expand industry led training, address gender disparity and develop specialised talent for emerging segments such as cruise shipping and advanced shipbuilding. The government signalled an intent to leverage global demand for skilled seafarers to create wider employment pathways for youth.
The Union Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways noted that India pays close to USD75 bn every year in freight to foreign lines and argued that augmenting Indian tonnage is necessary for trade security. NSB chairperson presented the board's advisory role under the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025 and framed Sagar Samvad as a consultative forum to build consensus on building a future ready maritime sector. Participants discussed opportunities and challenges in expanding the fleet and improving competitiveness to support long term goals through 2047.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Construction World.