Union Shipping Minister says Coastal Shipping Bill will unlock India’s maritime potential
The Hindu
Union Shipping Minister Sonowal introduces Coastal Shipping Bill to boost maritime industry, facing opposition over impact on fishermen.
Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Tuesday (April 1, 2025) moved the Coastal Shipping Bill, 2024 and stated that the legislation will unlock India’s maritime potential and provide a sustainable alternative to road and rail transport.
Also Read | India concentrating on building ships in the country, says Secretary of Ports and Shipping
Mr. Sonowal, who holds the ports, shipping and waterways portfolio, said that with the logistics sector seeking low-cost, reliable and sustainable alternatives, the Bill will give a much-needed push to the maritime industry through a dedicated legal framework for coastal shipping.
“This Bill is a significant reform initiative that can unlock the full potential of India’s vast and strategic maritime sector,” the Minister said.
The Coastal Shipping Bill introduced in the Lok Sabha on December 2, 2024, seeks to regulate vessels engaged in trade within the Indian coastal waters.
Opposition MPs, however, raised concerns about the Bill’s impact on fishermen and the role of States in coastal shipping governance.
Congress MP Manickam Tagore accused the government of overlooking the struggles of fishermen, particularly in Tamil Nadu and Gujarat.
Run 3 Space | Play Space Running Game
Traffic Jam 3D | Online Racing Game
Duck Hunt | Play Old Classic Game
Sensex and Nifty surge after U.S. suspends tariffs on India, defying global bearish trend.
Tata Group's TCS defers wage hikes for employees due to business uncertainties, reports decline in net profit.
Ola Electric Mobility launches Roadster X motorcycle series with innovative features and competitive pricing in India.
AI is “turning out to be far more difficult than we thought to actually make work at scale and useful to everyone,” Infosys founder Nandan Nilekani said.
External Affairs Minister Jaishankar emphasizes the need for free trade agreements with the US, EU, and UK for India's growth.
India's Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal emphasizes safeguarding national interests in trade agreements with the U.S. and EU.
Equity mutual funds inflow drops 14% in March, signaling investor shift towards diversified strategies amid market volatility.
Defense Secretary orders termination of $5.1 billion IT contracts with Accenture and Deloitte, citing wasteful spending and savings.
Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India recalls CB300R motorcycles due to headlight issue, offering free replacements at BigWing dealerships.
Adani Enterprises to launch major copper smelter in India amid global supply challenges, boosting copper prices.
The KKCCI has proposed the introduction of new air services connecting Kalaburagi to Mumbai, Ahmedabad (via Surat), Rajasthan (Kishangarh), and Goa.
Benchmark indices surge after U.S. suspends tariffs on India, boosting stocks; market volatility expected amid trade war tensions.
Rupee strengthens against dollar on strong equity market opening, lower dollar index, and falling oil prices.