The recently held Sagarmanthan – The Great Oceans Dialogue, an initiative by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW) and the Observer Research Foundation (ORF), drew a successful closure. The sessions attempted discussions and examination of how partnerships can be developed and built upon.
Sagarmanthan is South Asia’s largest maritime thought leadership forum. Organized by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) in partnership with the Observer Research Foundation (ORF), Sagarmanthan offers a premier platform for global leaders, policymakers, and visionaries to share insights and shape the future of the marine sector. With critical themes spanning the blue economy, global supply chains, maritime logistics, and sustainable growth, the dialogue aims to chart a bold, actionable course for a vibrant and future-ready maritime ecosystem.
Identified as the region’s first of its kind thought leadership event on maritime sector, ‘Sagarmanthan – the Great Oceans Dialogue’, has been designed around four central themes which are New Frontiers, Blue Growth Partnerships for Progress, Green and Blue, and Coasts & Communities. The New Frontiers will explore subjects around connectivity, infrastructure and development in a dynamic world. The second theme, Blue Growth, is aimed at fostering partnerships for progress. The Green & Blue theme will dabble at important issues of sustainability, technology and innovation. The discussion will also hover around maritime governance and social impact, which is covered under the Coasts and Communities theme.
India’s maritime sector serves as the backbone of its trade and commerce, handling around 95% of the country’s trade by volume and 70% by value. With 12 major ports and over 200 notified minor and intermediate ports, the country’s port infrastructure underpins its growing economy. As the sixteenth-largest maritime nation in the world, India occupies a key position on global shipping lanes. Most cargo ships traveling between East Asia and destinations like America, Europe, and Africa traverse Indian waters, highlighting the nation’s strategic importance. The sector’s contributions extend beyond trade. India boasts a fleet of 1,530 ships sailing under its flag as of 2023, a testament to its growing presence in global shipping. Additionally, the country is the third-largest in the world in terms of ship recycling by tonnage, underscoring its role in sustainable maritime practices and the global supply chain. This prominence complements the nation’s efforts to modernize and expand its port infrastructure. Between 2014-15 and 2023-24, major ports increased their annual cargo-handling capacity from 871.52 million tonnes to 1,629.86 million tonnes, reflecting an impressive growth of 87.01%. In the financial year 2024 alone, Indian ports managed 819.22 million tonnes of cargo, a 4.45% rise from the previous year. This growth aligns with a surge in merchandise exports, which climbed to USD 451 billion in FY23 from USD 417 billion the year before.
Reference: PIB