Is Ship Turnaround Time at Indian Ports Now Under 1 Day?

New Delhi, July 25 (NationPress) The efficiency of Indian ports has seen remarkable advancements, with the average turnaround time for ships slashed from 4 days to under 1 day, surpassing numerous developed countries, as stated by Sarbananda Sonowal, the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.

Major ports have experienced a 70 percent increase in container capacity, while cargo throughput via coastal and inland waterways has surged, he noted during an event.

“With 100 percent FDI allowed in shipping through the automatic route, streamlined customs processes, and the strategic benefits of GIFT City IFSC, India is now positioned as one of the most appealing investment destinations in the maritime sector. Our vision is clear: to establish India as a global maritime hub not only in trade but also in finance, shipbuilding, and sustainable maritime infrastructure,” the minister remarked at the ‘Maritime Financing Summit 2025.’

Minister of State Shantanu Thakur emphasized, “Achieving India’s maritime goals requires dependable, long-term financial structures.”

“We are dedicated to formulating facilitating policies, fostering business-friendly reforms, and cultivating international collaborations to create an environment conducive for the growth and leadership of Indian shipping. Our coastline serves as a gateway to opportunities, and through a unified vision and effort, India will ascend as a global maritime authority,” Thakur added.

Another significant announcement was the introduction of the Maritime Development Fund (MDF), a specialized blended finance tool geared towards reducing capital expenses and attracting long-term investments in shipyards, coastal infrastructure, and inland waterways. The MDF was crafted through extensive discussions with over 100 stakeholders, including global investors, shipowners, insurance firms, and financial entities.

Policy initiatives like classifying large vessels as infrastructure assets, prolonging the Shipbuilding Financial Assistance Scheme (SBFAS) to alleviate cost disadvantages, and providing long-term clarity on financial incentives available in the sector, along with enabling ship leasing through GIFT City IFSC, were identified as transformative actions to bolster India’s competitiveness in the maritime and shipbuilding industries.

It was underscored that legislative measures such as the Merchant Shipping Bill and the Coastal Shipping Bill are actively being pursued to support Indian-flagged vessels. Parliament has also passed the Bills of Lading Bill 2025, which aims to simplify the legal framework governing shipping documents.

“Financial support for greenfield capacity expansion aimed at establishing new shipbuilding clusters, as well as brownfield enhancements to amplify the capabilities of existing shipyards through a coordinated effort between the Centre and States, is on the horizon,” the ministry stated.