Sonowal Unveils One Nation-One Port Initiative to Enhance India’s Maritime Sector

Mumbai, Feb 27 (NationPress) Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Thursday introduced a series of significant projects from the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, including the One Nation-One Port Process (ONOP), Sagar Ankalan, and the Bharat Global Ports Consortium. These initiatives are intended to modernize India’s maritime infrastructure, enhance its global trade capabilities, and foster sustainability.

Sonowal initiated the ‘One Nation-One Port Process' (ONOP), aiming to standardize and optimize operations across India’s principal ports. This initiative is designed to eliminate discrepancies in documentation and processes that have caused inefficiencies, escalated costs, and operational delays.

In the first phase of the ONOP initiative, the Ministry has standardized documents with Immigration, the Port Health Organisation, and Port Authorities, leading to a 33 percent reduction in container operation documents (from 143 to 96) and a 29 percent decrease in bulk cargo documents (from 150 to 106).

He also launched Sagar Ankalan — the Logistics Port Performance Index (LPPI), marking a crucial step towards improving efficiency and global competitiveness in India’s maritime sector. Aligned with the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan and the National Logistics Policy, the Sagar Ankalan LPPI seeks to benchmark port performance, promote operational excellence, and enhance India’s trade connectivity.

Developed under the Sagar Aankalan guidelines, the LPPI assesses all major and non-major ports across Bulk (Dry & Liquid) and Container categories.

Key performance indicators incorporate cargo handling, turnaround time, berth idle time, container dwell time, and ship berth-day output. The structured, data-driven approach guarantees transparency by equally considering absolute performance and year-on-year improvements. India has already achieved remarkable progress in global logistics, advancing to 22nd position in the World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index (LPI) 2023 for "International Shipments," rising from 44th.

During the event, the minister remarked: “It brings me great joy to unveil these significant initiatives of our Ministry, which are in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of Viksit Bharat, fostering self-reliance, sustainability, and economic growth.

“By improving port performance and optimizing logistics, we are minimizing inefficiencies, lowering carbon footprints, and enhancing India's standing in global trade. Our dedication to modern, green, and intelligent port infrastructure will not only bolster economic resilience but also secure a sustainable maritime future for upcoming generations. This is a transformative leap towards establishing India as a maritime powerhouse, supporting Atmanirbhar Bharat and a developed India by 2047,” the minister emphasized.

Additionally, the Union Minister unveiled the website for the National Centre of Excellence in Green Port and Shipping (NCoEGPS). This is a crucial step towards promoting sustainability in the maritime sector. The platform will provide insights and best practices for green port and shipping operations, focusing on carbon footprint reduction, cleaner fuels, and eco-friendly port management to foster a more sustainable future.

“Under the visionary guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is swiftly modernizing its ports and trade infrastructure, aligning with his commitment to Viksit Bharat and Atmanirbhar Bharat. By harnessing digital innovation and global partnerships, we are establishing a seamless, efficient, and future-ready trade network, accelerating India's journey towards becoming a global economic powerhouse,” Sonowal stated.