New Delhi: In a significant push towards digitising India’s maritime sector, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping & Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal unveiled a range of digital governance initiatives during the IT Conclave 2025 held by the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS). The event marked a key milestone in the Centre’s maritime modernisation efforts under Digital India, Maritime India Vision 2030, and Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.
The conclave, co-hosted by DGS and the Company of Master Mariners of India (CMMI), showcased India’s vision to build a smart, secure, and transparent maritime ecosystem through digital innovation.
e-Samudra Rollout and Revamped DG Shipping Portal
One of the major announcements was the Phase-1 launch of the e-Samudra platform, a cloud-native system designed to integrate over 60 maritime services under one digital interface. The platform aims to improve transparency, reduce delays, and strengthen ease of doing business in the maritime domain.
The initial modules unveiled include:
- Chartering Permissions & Licenses for faster vessel approvals
- Ship Building Financial Assistance (SBFA) module to enable funding access
- Multi-Modal Transport Operator (MTO) registration and compliance services
- Visitor Access Management System for automated access at DGS offices
The government also launched the redesigned DG Shipping website, now fully GIGW 3.0-compliant, mobile-friendly, and multilingual to serve diverse maritime stakeholders better.
AI Exams and Future-Ready Maritime Reforms
Another key highlight was the pilot rollout of an AI-based digital examination system at MMD Noida, aimed at improving efficiency and fairness in testing.
The ministry also released a vision document titled “Leveraging Technology in Maritime”, outlining a full-scale digital transformation roadmap for the maritime sector. Key proposals include:
- Learning Management Systems (LMS) and web simulators aligned with STCW standards
- Digital archival systems for maritime records
- ERP tools for Seafarers’ Provident Fund and Welfare societies
- An Integrated Command & Control Centre for real-time data oversight
- Cybersecurity frameworks aligned with the Digital Personal Data Protection Act
- Vision for a Digitally Enabled Maritime India
Speaking at the event, Sarbananda Sonowal emphasised that the reforms represent a paradigm shift in maritime governance and reflect India’s ambition to lead globally in maritime digital services. He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership for steering the sector towards transparency, innovation, and competitiveness.
Minister of State Shantanu Thakur echoed the vision, noting that platforms like e-Samudra would significantly ease service delivery and enhance India’s standing in global shipping.
Looking ahead, the government plans to integrate AI, IoT, blockchain, and geospatial tools into the maritime ecosystem. These technologies are expected to enable predictive analytics, autonomous operations, and real-time monitoring, making India’s maritime governance smarter and future-ready.
Also Read: Sonowal Says India’s Maritime Sector Charts Green Future Under Maritime India Vision 2030
