Page 21 - NIS English 1-15 April, 2026

Cover Story
National Maritime Day Special

Maritime Infrastructure

India’s Strengthening Maritime Power

India’s future is inseparably linked with the oceans. This is why Prime Minister Narendra
Modi has been continuously emphasizing the strengthening of infrastructure in this
sector to reinforce the nation’s rich maritime heritage and capabilities. Reforms in India’s
maritime sector are delivering solid results in shipbuilding and green shipping...

₹69,725 crore worth of a Under this package, the Shipbuilding

comprehensive Financial Assistance Scheme
package has been approved to revive India’s (SBFAS) has been extended until
shipbuilding and maritime ecosystem. March 31, 2036.

Shipping
Indian shipping A 174% increase was seen in The number of
capacity (gross tonnage) Indian-flagged the number of employees female seafarers in the
ships/vessels
increased by 35% working on ships (seafarers) maritime sector
(Capacity in million GT)

13.52 1,549 1.17 Lakh 3.20 Lakh During the same period, the female seafarers increased tenfold. 2,557

1,205 number of 341
10 Increased by 29% Increased by 649%

2013-14 2024-25 2013-14 2024-25 2013-14 2024-25 2014 2024

Today, India’s share in seaborne trade is only 10 a global leader in the maritime sector. As India’s
percent. India is pursuing a goal of nearly tripling maritime trade grows, so too does the number of
its share of global maritime trade by 2047. With a seafarers. These are hardworking professionals
planned investment of ₹8 trillion and the creation who operate ships, maintain engines and machin-
of 15 million jobs by 2047, India is poised to become ery, and oversee loading and unloading. A decade

April 1-15, 2026 || NEW INDIA SAMACHAR 19