Union Minister Shri Sarbananda Sonowal launched a series of major initiatives under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways (MoPSW) to modernize India’s maritime infrastructure, strengthen its global trade presence, and promote sustainability.
He launched the ‘One Nation-One Port Process (ONOP)’, an initiative to standardize and streamline operations across India’s major ports. This step aims to eliminate inconsistencies in documentation and processes that lead to inefficiencies, increased costs, and operational delays.
Additionally, he launched:
- Sagar Ankalan – the Logistics Port Performance Index (LPPI) for FY 2023-24.
- Bharat Global Ports Consortium, aimed at strengthening global trade by expanding India’s maritime reach and enhancing trade resilience.
- MAITRI logo (Master Application for International Trade and Regulatory Interface) to streamline trade processes, reduce bureaucratic redundancies, and expedite clearances, reinforcing India’s commitment to ease of doing business.
MAITRI plays a crucial role in operationalizing the ‘Virtual Trade Corridor’ (VTC) between India and the UAE. The initiative aligns with the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC) and is expected to expand to BIMSTEC and ASEAN nations, leveraging AI and Blockchain for efficiency and security.
He also announced the India Maritime Week, to be held from October 27 to 31, 2025, in Mumbai, celebrating the country’s ‘Maritime Virasat’ (Maritime Heritage) and ‘Maritime Vikas’ (Maritime Development). The event, a bi-annual global maritime gathering, will be one of the largest in the world. It will host the:
- 4th edition of the Global Maritime India Summit (GMIS)
- 2nd edition of Sagarmanthan
The event is expected to have representation from 100 countries and 100,000 delegates.
Finally, he launched the National Centre of Excellence in Green Port and Shipping (NCoEGPS) website, which will offer insights and best practices for green port and shipping operations. This platform will focus on reducing carbon footprints, promoting cleaner fuels, and implementing eco-friendly port management to drive a more sustainable future.