Atmanirbhar shipping: India plans to induct 62 vessels in this financial year

In a strategic recalibration triggered by evolving global maritime risks, India has unveiled an ambitious roadmap to bolster its shipping muscle, with plans to induct 62 vessels in 2026-27 at an investment of Rs 51,383 crore and add 2.85 million gross tonnage (GT) capacity.

The push, articulated by Union Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, came at a high-level inter-ministerial review convened against the backdrop of volatility in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy transit chokepoints.

Framing shipping as central to India’s economic resilience, Sonowal said the government is accelerating a comprehensive “Atmanirbhar shipping” strategy under the leadership of Narendra Modi. “We are positioning shipping at the core of our economic architecture. The proposed fleet expansion will strengthen supply chain security while advancing self-reliance,” he said.

The meeting brought together senior officials from the petroleum, chemicals and fertilisers ministries, alongside key maritime regulators including the Directorate General of Shipping, the National Shipping Board and the Directorate General of Foreign Trade.

With global supply chains under strain, the minister called for urgent augmentation of India’s fleet across critical segments - container ships, LPG and crude carriers, tankers, dredgers and green tugs - to mitigate external shocks and ensure continuity of trade. He also reviewed cargo flows, vessel movements and operational preparedness across sectors.

Significantly, Sonowal highlighted that the Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) is being equipped to build specialised vessels for transporting ammonia, signalling a forward-looking shift towards green energy logistics. He also assessed progress on a joint venture between SCI and oil public sector undertakings to acquire 59 vessels.

In a move aimed at institutionalising reforms, the Minister directed the preparation of a time-bound, actionable white paper mapping gaps, targets and a coordinated roadmap for the maritime sector.

The exercise will involve close inter-ministerial alignment, particularly with petroleum, fertiliser and commerce departments, reflecting the sector’s deep linkages with energy and trade flows.

“This document will anchor our next phase of decision-making on a broader platform. Inputs must be practical, focused and outcome-driven,” Sonowal said, signalling tighter policy execution.

The government also underscored the need for heightened vigilance in sensitive sea lanes, reiterating that the safety of Indian seafarers remains paramount amid geopolitical uncertainties.