On May 22, 2023, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW) made five major announcements collectively named as ‘Panch Karma Sankalp‘ focusing green shipping and digitization of the ports during the culmination of MoPSW’s second Chintan Shivir held in Munnar, Kerala.
- These initiatives are poised to make India a global leader in the maritime sector.
Key People:
Shripad Naik, Minister of State(MoS), MoPSW & Tourism, Shantanu Thakur, MoS, MoPSW, Sudhansh Pant, Secretary, MoPSW and Chairpersons of all major ports were present during the event.
What is in the Panch Karma Sankalp?
i.MoPSW to provide 30% financial support for the promotion of Green Shipping
ii.Jawaharlal Nehru Port (Mumbai, Maharashtra), VO Chidambaranar Port (Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu), Paradip Port (Jagatsinghpur, Odisha) and Deendayal Port (Kandla, Gujarat) will procure two tugs each Under the Green Tug Transition Programme(GTTP).
Nodal agency of GTTP: National Centre of Excellence in Green Port & Shipping (NCoEGPS).
- This program envisages the conversion of tugboats utilized in ports into environmentally friendly vessels known as ‘green tugs’ that run on non-fossil fuels such as methanol, hydrogen or ammonia.
- Tugboats, also referred to as tugs, play a crucial role in assisting ships with mooring and berthing operations by towing or pushing them towards the port.
iii.Deendayal Port and VO Chidambaranar Port to be developed as Green Hydrogen Hub
iv.Single Window Portal to facilitate and monitor river and sea cruises
v.Jawaharlal Nehru Port and VO Chidambaranar Port to become smart port by 2024
Key Points:
i.The MoPSW Union Minister will review the progress with respect to these targets in a mid-year Chintan and strict action will be taken in-case of any delay in completion of the project.
ii.The cargo handled by coastal shipping has grown to 151 MMTPA (Million Metric Tonnes per Annum) in 2022-23 which was 74 MMTPA in 2014-15.
iii.A consistent growth has been seen in cargo handling via IWT (Inland Water Transport) , it was only 30 MTPA in 2014 which has now grown to 126 MTPA in 2022-23.
MoPSW’s 2nd Chintan Shivir:
The 2nd Chintan Shivir organised by MoPSW was chaired and inaugurated by Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister of MoPSW on 21st May 2023.
- This aims to create awareness and educate people about the impacts of maritime sector and its impact on the lives of common people.
1st Day: discussed the achievements and targets set during the previous Chintan Shivir.
2nd Day: focused on cargo handling by Major ports, improving and optimising port call procedures, digitalization and standardization, inland waters and coastal shipping enhancing cargo and good governance.
Recent Related News:
i.Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, has announced the “Green Tug Transition Programme” (GTTP), in order to make India a “Global Hub for Green Ship Building” by 2030.
ii.Union Minister Sarbananda SonowaI inaugurated India’s first National Centre of Excellence in Green Port & Shipping (NCoEGPS), a collaboration between the MoPSW, Government of India, and The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI).
About Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW):
Union Minister– Sarbananda Sonowal (Constituency- Majuli, Assam)
Minister of State (MoS)– Shripad Yesso Naik (Constituency- North Goa, Goa),
Shantanu Thakur Constituency- Bangaon, West Bengal)
