Sarbananda Sonowal chairs meeting of the Consultative Committee for the MoPSW

in Mumbai

MUMBAI: Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, Hon’ble Minister for Ports, Shipping & Waterways & AYUSH chaired the meeting of the Consultative Committee for the MoPSW in Mumbai on 21.2.2023. The meeting was attended by Shri Arvind Sawant, MP, Shri Manoj Kotak, MPandSmt.GeethaVanga,MP.

Shri Sudhansh Pant, Secretary (Shipping) and senior officials of the MoPSW also attended the meeting along with Heads of MbPA, JNPA, DG Shipping, Cochin ShipyardLtd,DCIandSCI.

While inaugurating the meeting, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal stated that India intends to increase the share of renewal energy to 60 per cent of total power demand of each of its major ports from the present share of less than 10percent. TheMaritimeVisionDocument-2030 released by the Hon’ble Prime Minister, is a 10-year blueprint on India’s vision of asustainable Maritime Sector and vibrant blue economy and the Ministry has undertaken various green port initiatives in major ports, so that their environmentalissuesareaddressedproperly.

Thereafter, Shri Rajesh Kumar Sinha, Addl. Secretary, PSW, made a presentation on General Overview of the MoPSW and also a PPT on “Green Ports andGreenShipping”.

Shri Sudhansh Pant, Secretary Shipping, stated that the Ports have aimed to reduce carbon emissions, per tonne of cargo handled by 30 per cent by 2030 and initiated various activities that would help in reducing the greenhouse gases emissions from the port and shipping sector in order to achieve the targets set by the Government for making the maritime sector green and sustainable. Under Sagarmala programme, 160 projects costing Rs.10,901 crore have been identified in 12 States/UTs. These projects are being implemented by concerned Central Ministries, State Governments/Administrations, Portsandotheragencies.

To enhance the share of green shipping, various projects are being implemented by Cochin Shipyard Ltd., India’s largest ship building and maintenance facility. These include green urban mobility solutions like hybrid electric ferries, autonomous zero-emission vessels, pilot project on hydrogen fuel cell ferry, electric catamaran water taxi, hybrid electric Ro-Ro, hybrid LNG-electric inland cargo carrier, hybrid tugs, etc. The initiatives include acquisition of equipment for monitoring environmental pollution, dustsuppression systems,STP’s garbage disposal system for ports and ships, reception facility for wastes from ships, projects for energy generation for renewable energy sources, Tier I Oil Spill Response and inclusion of sustainable practices in terminal design, development and Operation, increasing greencoverwithinportpremises,etc.

Smt.GeethaVanga,ShriArvindSawantandShriManoj Kotak raised the concerns of plastic on the environment issues and urged Shipping Ministry to implement robust environmentalprogrammes.

Shri Shantanu Thakur, Hon’ble Minister for State for PSW in his address outlined the delegates attending the meeting on Ministry’s road map for achieving the targets. Chairman, MbPA and Chairman, JNPA clarified some of thedoubtsraisedbyhon’blemembers.

Concluding the meeting, the Hon’ble Minister stated that India would be able to complete the projects by 2035 andIndia will bethebase forproviding forsuch facilities in the Maritime Sector and would be inclusive of the suggestions given by the Hon’ble Members during the meeting.

Double Digit growth in exports is commendable amidst challenging global trade environment: Dr A Sakthivel, President, FIEO

MUMBAI: Speaking on the sidelines of FIEO's Foundation Dayrelated event, DrA Sakthivel, President, FIEO said that the aggregate exports of the country in the current fiscal is expected to be between US$ 780-800 billion exhibiting a growth of about 12% over the record exports of US$ 672 billion in2021-22.

A double-digit growth in exports, when the global situation is becoming tougher and global trade moderating, is encouraging particularly as many of our competing countries are witnessing sharp decline in their exports, observed FIEO Chief. Dr Sakthivel said that the merchandise exports are likely to be between US$ 440-450 billion while services exports are expected to be between US$340-350billion.