New Delhi: In a decisive move to modernize maritime trade, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways has joined hands with the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) to establish a Digital Centre of Excellence (DCoE). This ambitious initiative marks a significant leap in India’s vision to digitally transform the country’s maritime and port infrastructure.
Accelerating Innovation with the Digital Centre of Excellence
The newly announced DCoE will serve as a nerve centre for the Indian maritime sector’s digital evolution. With C-DAC’s cutting-edge IT capabilities, the Centre will focus on deploying advanced digital solutions across the ports and shipping ecosystem.
Its objectives include promoting innovation, enabling real-time data-driven operations, and ushering in smart port technologies. This initiative also aligns with the Government’s broader agenda to modernize port logistics and enhance India’s competitiveness in global trade.
SAGAR SETU: Paperless, Seamless Port Operations
Further reinforcing this digital thrust, the Government has operationalized the SAGAR SETU platform. Designed to streamline operations in the EXIM (Export-Import) ecosystem, SAGAR SETU brings paperless efficiency to Indian ports.
The platform slashes vessel and cargo documentation time by introducing automated, transparent workflows. It is expected to significantly boost port productivity and improve the ease of doing business for stakeholders across the shipping and logistics value chain.
Standardized Tariff Structure for Major Ports
Alongside the digital initiatives, a uniform Scale of Rates (SOR) template has been introduced for all Major Ports. This reform provides a consistent and transparent framework for categorizing and presenting port service tariffs.
The standardized SOR ensures uniformity in port charges and offers clearly defined conditions and definitions. This change aims to eliminate ambiguities, support predictability in pricing, and facilitate better decision-making for domestic and international port users.
Towards a Smart Maritime Future
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, highlighted these developments as transformative steps in strengthening India’s maritime trade infrastructure. By embracing digital innovation and transparent practices, India is positioning itself as a leader in maritime logistics in the Indo-Pacific region.
These measures are expected to drive operational excellence, reduce costs, and support the nation’s ambition to become a global hub for port-led development.
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