India is working on a roadmap to add 92 vessels in the current financial year with an investment of Rs 51,383 crore, Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said on Wednesday.
Sonowal further said that India targets an addition of 2.85 million GT capacity to strengthen the Atmanirbhar Shipping Push in the current fiscal.
He also directed an actionable white paper on Maritime Gaps, targets, and Roadmap with inter-ministerial coordination.
The minister also said Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) equipped to build specialised vessels to transport Ammonia. Sonowal was addressing high-level inter-ministerial review meeting on the Strait of Hormuz situation.
According to an official statement, the meeting brought together senior officials from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG), oil PSUs, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers, Directorate General of Shipping, National Shipping Board and the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT).
Speaking on the occasion, Sonowal said, "Our journey towards Atmanirbhar shipping is a strategic necessity, and we are advancing a roadmap to add 62 vessels in FY 2026-27, backed by '¹51,383 crore, creating an additional 2.85 million GT capacity." Reviewing the current global scenario and its implications on maritime trade routes, the Minister called for urgent expansion of India's shipping capacity, including container vessels, LPG and crude carriers, and green tugs, to ensure resilience against external disruptions.
According to the statement, Sonowal also reviewed cargo flows, vessel movements and operational preparedness across key maritime segments.
"The need for expansion of container fleet, green tugs, LPG carriers, crude carriers, dredging vessels and tankers were underscored by the Minister to combat any future global challenge and sustain supply chain of the country," the statement said.
The Shipping Minister also reviewed the status of the Joint Venture between Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) and Oil PSUs to acquire 59 vessels.
"We must act with urgency to strengthen our fleet, shipbuilding capacity, port infrastructure, and the broader maritime ecosystem," the Union Minister said, underscoring the need for a coordinated national effort.
Directing a structured policy response, Sonowal instructed all concerned departments to prepare a concise and actionable white paper outlining & addressing the current gaps, clear targets and a time-bound roadmap across key pillars of the maritime sector.
Sonowal emphasised that this exercise must be undertaken in close coordination with the Ministries of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Chemicals and Fertilisers, and Commerce and Industry, given their critical linkage to maritime supply chain.
The Minister also reiterated that the safety and security of Indian seafarers remains paramount, with agencies directed to maintain heightened vigilance in sensitive maritime zones.
The inter-ministerial meeting concluded with a call for greater alignment, coordination and execution across ministries and stakeholders to position India as a globally competitive maritime nation.
Published on April 29, 2026