Sarbananda Sonowal

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Thursday flagged off India's first indigenous hydrogen fuel-cell vessel in Varanasi, marking a key milestone in the country's push towards clean, and sustainable inland water transport. At a ceremony held at Namo Ghat, the Ports, Shipping, and Waterways minister inaugurated the vessel's commercial operations. Sonowal said the hydrogen-powered vessel reflects India's growing technological capabilities and its commitment to sustainable energy. "This is not just technological progress, but a sign that we are advancing confidently towards green energy and indigenous solutions," he said. The minister said it was a matter of national pride that India has now joined the list of countries such as China, Norway, the Netherlands, and Japan that operate hydrogen-powered vessels. "This proves that our technical capabilities are ready for the future. This has been made possible due to the Prime Minister's visionary leadership. The speed and approach with whi

Minister Sarbananda Sonowal says ports will anchor India's green hydrogen drive as MoUs worth over Rs 87,000 crore boost maritime and port-led energy investments

Sonowal noted that India Maritime Week 2025 would witness participation of over one lakh delegates and 500 exhibitors from more than 100 countries, apart from coastal states like Maharashtra

The NBFC will tap into the MDF - one of the three pillars of the Rs 69,725 crore shipbuilding package - which was created as a financial umbrella for various areas

Several existing Indian shipyards on both the east and west coasts have come forward to seek assistance under the brownfield capacity expansion program, says Sonowal

India is set to attract investments worth Rs 80 lakh crore, generate over 1.5 crore jobs, and accelerate green shipping practices in the coming years, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said on Tuesday. According to an official statement, the ports, shipping and waterways minister further said India's maritime sector is undergoing a transformative shift, positioning the nation as a future global maritime superpower. "India's maritime growth story is about prosperity, sustainability, and pride in our heritage. We have already set course as India's blue economy aims to gain Rs 80 lakh crore boost, 1.5 crore jobs under Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision," the statement quoted Sonowal as saying. The statement said the government's flagship 'Sagarmala' programme is driving this change with 840 projects worth Rs 5.8 lakh crore under implementation by 2035. Already, 272 projects worth Rs 1.41 lakh crore have been completed. According to the statement, the upcoming Rs 76,000-crore Vadhavan Port in

Amid concerns over the impact of a 50 per cent US tariff on Indian products, Union Ports Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Friday claimed that there has been no reduction in overall cargo shipments from India. Almost 90 per cent of India's foreign trade in terms of volume and 70 per cent of India's foreign trade by value is transported through sea routes. "We have not seen a reduction in overall cargo shipments from India," Sonowal told PTI when asked to comment on the impact of a 50 per cent steep tariff imposed by Washington on Indian goods entering the US. India and the US have been negotiating a bilateral trade agreement (BTA) since March. So far, five rounds of talks have been completed. After a 50 per cent duty was imposed on August 27, the US team has deferred its visit to India for the next round of talks, which was scheduled from August 25. No new dates have been finalised for the sixth round of negotiations. Amid tensions between India and the US, .

Ports ministry bets on PPPs, green corridors, and mega harbours to redraw trade routes by 2030

First phase [of Vadhavan port] is expected to be completed by 2029 and second by 2037, says Sonowal

India's infrastructure story shines at BS Summit 2025, with leaders charting bold visions in roads, ports, energy, and aviation to power Viksit Bharat 2047

Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Wednesday urged global partners to view India as a hub for investment and innovation, highlighting the government's USD 1 trillion maritime investment roadmap. He was speaking at the Ambassadors' Roundtable Meet organised by the Shipping Ministry as a precursor to the forthcoming India Maritime Week (IMW) 2025, scheduled to be held in Mumbai next month. "India's maritime journey is entering a new chapter...our ports, shipping and logistics ecosystem is becoming more resilient, sustainable and future-ready," the Union Ports, Shipping and Waterways minister told the gathering. Underlining opportunities in India's maritime sector, Sonowal said, "We are working to transform our ports, shipping, and logistics ecosystem into one that is resilient, sustainable, and future-ready, and this opens vast avenues for international collaboration". "These opportunities open up a 1 trillion US dollars maritime investment roadmap, with strong potential for joi

At the Business Standard Infrastructure Summit 2025, Gadkari and Sonowal outlined the government's plan for mega investments in roads, shipping, ports and alternative fuels

At the BS Infrastructure Summit, Sarbananda Sonowal said India aims to scale port capacity to 10,000 MMT by 2047, raise private participation to 85% and invest Rs 80 lakh crore

India will be world's no.1 economy by 2047, says Sarbananda Sonowal, citing port expansion, shipbuilding push, ₹11.2 trillion capex, and new maritime laws at BS Infra Summit

The day-long event will range from funding models for Viksit Bharat to the future of energy, aviation, and logistics

The Standing Committee on Finance will table its 25th report on the 'Evolving Role of the Competition Commission of India in the Economy, particularly the Digital Landscape'

On August 1, Rijiju said the govt was ready to hold discussions on any issue under the rules, but the SIR could not be debated as it is carried out by a constitutional body--the Election Commission

A bill to expand the eligibility criteria for ownership of merchant shipping vessels and provide for investigation and enquiries on marine casualties was passed by the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, after a brief discussion as the Opposition continued with its protests seeking discussion on poll roll revision in Bihar. As soon as the Bill was passed, the House proceedings were adjourned for the day amid noisy protests by the Opposition members. Union Minister Sarbnanda Sonowal made opening remarks following which two BJP members Captain Brijesh Chowta and Mukeshkumar Chandrakant Dalal spoke on the Bill, amid sloganeering by the Opposition over the Bihar poll roll issue. The Bill was later passed by a voice vote. This is the second Bill to be passed by the Lok Sabha in the ongoing Monsoon session, which has seen repeated disruptions by the Opposition on various issues. The Lok Sabha on Tuesday passed 'The Readjustment of Representation of Scheduled Tribes in Assembly Constituencies of the

Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal moved the bill for consideration and passage by the Upper House

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal will inaugurate the second Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) ports conclave in Visakhapatnam on July 14. The two-day event, to be held until July 15, aims to enhance regional maritime cooperation under the BIMSTEC framework, said an official press release. "BIMSTEC enhances regional unity through maritime cooperation and trade connectivity, said T Venu Gopal, secretary, Visakhapatnam Port Authority. During his visit, the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways is also expected to inaugurate completed development projects and lay foundation stones for upcoming port infrastructure. Themed Navigating the Future: Blue Economy, Innovation & Sustainable Partnerships', the conclave will bring together ministerial delegations, port authorities, maritime experts, and business leaders from BIMSTEC member countries. Delegates from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand have