National Action Plan for Green Shipping

Why in the News?

At the INMEX SMM India 2023 maritime industry exhibition, the potential benefits of National Action Plan for Green Shipping were projected by the Director General of Shipping Shyam Jagannathan.

• The initiative shall help in promoting eco-friendly practices and incentives for low-emission ships.
• It shall also help position India’s maritime sector as environmentally responsible.

Potential of India’s maritime sector:

1. India’s maritime sector has a potential of aid India to achieve a $20 trillion economy by 2047, with a 9% projected growth rate.
2. Shipping acts as the most economical and eco-friendly mode of transport and contributes significantly to global trade and reducing carbon footprints.

Vision of India’s maritime sector:

1. Quadrupling port capacity
2. Clean energy fuel hubs
3. Cruise tourism growth
4. Shipbuilding and recycling leadership
5. 5,000 km regional waterway grid

Transformative reforms:

1. Sagarmala and digitalisation initiatives:
   1. It aims for comprehensive development of India’s 7,500 km coastline, 14,500 km of potentially navigable waterways and maritime sector.
   2. Given that ~95 % of India’s merchandise trade (by volume) passes through sea ports, Port-led development has been fostered to address the existing challenges:
      1. High turnaround time (TAT) at major ports of 2.5 days in 2018-19, compared to global average benchmark of 1-2 days.
      2. Lack of last mile connectivity to the ports to facilitate smooth movement of cargo to/from the hinterland
   3. Port Modernization & New Port Development, Port-linked Industrialization and Coastal Community Development remains its objectives.

2. Swachh Sagar Portal for environmental data.
3. Proposal to establish National Centre of Excellence in Green Port and Shipping (NCoEGPS)
   1. Aims to identify technologies, alternative fuels, renewable energy sources for Green Shipping to foster carbon neutrality and circular economy (CE).
   2. It targets for the shipping and port sector to reduce GHG emissions 
   3. It provides policy and regulatory support for developing regulatory framework and alternate technology adoption road map.
4. International Maritime Organization Green Voyage 2050 Project:
   1. The project funded by Norway; India has been selected as pioneer lead country for it.
   2. The project assists developing countries in their efforts to reduce GHG emissions from ships. 
   3. Assam Inland Water Transport development society (AIWTDS) has been selected for passenger ferries procurement and development of alternate fuel solution.
5. Advancements in ship design, IoT, automation, and integrated bridge systems are the emerging innovations in the sector
6. India was now addressing critical themes like alternate fuels, energy efficiency, maritime 4.0, and data generation.

Recent achievements:

1. Doubling major ports’ capacity
2. Substantial waterway growth
3. Increased cruise passengers and seafarers
4. Expanded solar power
5. Lighthouse tourism