In a major push for India's maritime sector, the shipping ministry on Friday launched a series of reforms aimed at improving governance, transparency, and the ease of doing business (EoDB).
The new reforms, most of which are digital, were launched by Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, at an event marking the 37th Foundation Day of the Jawaharlal Nehru Port in Mumbai.
NIVIDA and VTS
One of the most significant reforms includes the launch of NIVIDA, India's first AI-driven tender evaluation engine.
Developed by the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) in collaboration with AI Transmute Solutions, NIVIDA aims to streamline the evaluation process for tenders across various segments of the shipping ecosystem, while also ensuring accuracy.
The indigenously developed Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) system, which also aims to transform India's maritime technology capabilities, was also launched at the event, in addition to a series of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) being signed.
These are linked to sustainability, infrastructure, energy efficiency and tech.
Logistics Port Performance Index
Another major non-digital reform launched by the MoPSW on Friday includes the Logistics Port Performance Index (LPPI) for FY 2024-25.
Developed under the Sagar Aankalan framework, the LPPI is a national benchmarking mechanism that offers detailed analyses on the performance of Indian ports, with a view to identify strengths and weaknesses and improve with each fiscal.
The LPPI evaluates ports across three cargo segments—dry bulk, liquid bulk and container cargo—using operational indicators such as the volume of cargo handled, vessel turnaround time, berth idle time, pre-berthing waiting time, container dwell time and ship berth day output.
This reform is in line with India's larger goals under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, Maritime India Vision 2030 and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.
"By promoting continuous improvement & global benchmarking, it will strengthen India’s position as a leading maritime power," Sonowal declared at the JNPA event.
DG Shipping's digital reforms
The four digital initiatives developed by the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) include a 24x7 Grievance Redressal Module under the e-Navik platform, a Ship Registration Module on the e-Samudra platform, a Medical Practitioner Module, and a Unified Ship Recycling Credit Note Module.
This is a direct outcome of Sonowal's high-level review meeting with MoPSW officials on Monday, in which he had outlined a detailed roadmap for the evolution of India's maritime sector, in line with its larger goals under Viksit Bharat 2047.
It was also at this meeting that the Maritime Reform Utsav initiative was announced, in order to spotlight the past 12 years of maritime reforms in the country.
Praising DG Shipping's new grievance redressal module, Sonowal said that it would allow issues to be filed through multiple channels, including the e-Navik portal, toll-free helplines, WhatsApp and dedicated email services from anywhere in the world.
He also explained that the digital ship registration module was an important flagging reform that would simplify vessel registration procedures and bring India's maritime administration in line with major global shipping nations.
The Medical Practitioner Module is aimed at streamlining the registration and monitoring of doctors who treat and certify seafarers, while reducing the risk of fraudulent certifications.
The fourth digital reform, launched as part of the MoPSW's 2025 maritime development package, was the Unified Ship Recycling Portal for the Ship Recycling Credit scheme.
Under the scheme, ship owners that recycle vessels at Indian yards compliant with Hong Kong's conventions could receive a credit note equivalent to 40 per cent of the vessel's scrap value, redeemable against new shipbuilding projects in India.
