On 7th August 2025, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), along with Union Minister of State (MoS) Shantanu Thakur, MoPSW, inaugurated the transformative digital Information Technology (IT) initiatives “IT Conclave 2025 – Leveraging Technology in Maritime” in New Delhi (Delhi).
- The event was hosted by the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) under MoPSW in collaboration with the Company of Master Mariners of India (CMMI).
Exam Hints:
- What? ‘IT Conclave 2025 – Digital Maritime Initiatives’ Inaugurated
- By Whom? Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal & MoS Shantanu Thakur (MoPSW).
- Organised by? DGS & CMMI
- Platform launched: Revamped DGS Website-GIGW 3.0 & e-Samudra Platform–Phase 1
- Other Launches: Vision Document, AI-based Exam System, LMS & Simulators, Digital Archival, ERP Integration, Command & Control Centre and Cybersecurity
About the IT Conclave 2025:
Objective: The conclave aimed to showcase digital initiatives that will build a smart, secure, and transparent maritime ecosystem, strengthening India’s position in the global maritime domain.
- It aligns with the Government of India’s (GoI) broader vision under “Digital India,” “Maritime India Vision 2030,” and “Amrit Kaal Vision 2047” to position India as a global maritime leader.
Initiatives Launched:
Revamped DGS Website: The platform has been upgraded to comply with Guidelines for Indian Government Websites (GIGW) 3.0, featuring a multilingual and mobile-responsive interface to enhance accessibility for seafarers, shipowners, training institutes, and other maritime stakeholders.
e-Samudra Platform – Phase 1: The cloud-native platform integrates over 60 maritime services, aiming to streamline service delivery and enhance governance within the maritime sector. Modules in Phase 1 include:
- Chartering Permissions & Licenses: Enables digital approval for vessel chartering
- Ship Building Financial Assistance (SBFA) module: Facilitates financial incentives for shipbuilders
- Multi-Modal Transport Operator (MTO) module: Enables online registration and regulatory compliance
- Visitor Access Management System: Automates access to DGS offices, improving office security.
Vision Booklet Launch: Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, MoPSW, released a digital roadmap booklet outlining the maritime sector’s technology interventions.
Digital Interventions:
AI-Based Exam System: A pilot Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered digital examination system for seafarer certification has been launched at the Mercantile Marine Department (MMD) in Noida (Uttar Pradesh, UP) to improve transparency and efficiency.
LMS & Simulators: Learning Management Systems (LMS) and web-based simulators are developed in compliance with the Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) to improve maritime training standards.
ERP Integration: Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems are being adopted for Seafarers’ Provident Fund Organisation (SPFO) and Seafarers’ Welfare Fund Society (SWFS) to improve administrative efficiency.
Technology Vision – Maritime 2030:
Digital Transformation Goal: The roadmap aims to build a digitally advanced and sustainable maritime sector, envisioning a secure, autonomous, and technology-driven ecosystem by 2030 to support India’s future-ready blue economy.
About Guidelines for Indian Government Websites (GIGW):
Development & Adoption: GIGW were developed by the National Informatics Centre (NIC) and adopted by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG), Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions (MOPPG&P), GoI.
About Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW):
Union Minister – Sarbananda Sonowal (Constituency – Dibrugarh, Assam)
Minister of State (MoS) – Shantanu Thakur (Constituency – Bangaon, West Bengal)
