Sarbananda Sonowal

The government is closely monitoring the evolving situation in the Middle East, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said, adding that all necessary mechanisms have been activated to ensure the safety and welfare of seafarers and maritime assets. The Middle East is facing military turmoil where the US and Israeli forces are at war against Iran, which has closed the Strait of Hormuz - a major passage for vessels. The war has intensified since the killing of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on Saturday, attacks carried out by the US. Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal on Tuesday chaired a review meeting to assess the prevailing security environment in the Persian Gulf and examine its implications for Indian maritime assets and personnel. "We are closely monitoring the evolving situation and have activated all necessary precautionary, monitoring and coordination mechanisms to ensure the safety and welfare of our seafarers and the security of our ..

India is pushing virtual trade corridors and paperless logistics with key partners as digital trade becomes central to FTA talks with the EU and the US

Container support scheme will lead to capacity equal to 10% of global demand

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