India’s Shipping Investment: India is going to grow its sea transport system in a big way. The plan is to add 62 vessels in FY 2026-27 with an investment of ₹51,383 crore. The target is to create another 2.85 million GT of shipping capacity and make India safer from global trade trouble. The update came from a high-level review meeting led by Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on April 29, 2026, while officials were looking at the changing situation around the Strait of Hormuz.
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Sonowal on Shipping
Sonowal said shipping is now being treated as a very important part of India’s economic strength. Accprdng to DD News , he said, “Under the visionary leadership of Narendra Modi, we are positioning shipping at the core of India’s economic resilience. 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 ₹51,383 crore, creating an additional 2.85 million GT capacity.” He also pushed for faster growth in container vessels, LPG carriers, crude carriers, dredging vessels, tankers and green tugs so India can handle future shocks better.
Ship plans and Safety focus
The meeting was attended by senior officials from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, oil PSUs, the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers, the Directorate General of Shipping, the National Shipping Board and the Directorate General of Foreign Trade. Sonowal also checked cargo movement, vessel movement and the country’s readiness in the maritime sector. He reviewed the joint venture between the Shipping Corporation of India and oil PSUs to acquire 59 vessels.
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He later asked the departments to prepare a short and useful white paper that explains the gaps in the maritime sector, sets clear targets and gives a time-based roadmap. This plan will be made with help from the key ministries linked to shipping supply chains.
“This document will anchor our next phase of decision-making on a broader platform. Inputs must be practical, focused and outcome-driven,” Sonowal said, signalling tighter policy execution.
The minister also said SCI is being prepared to build special vessels for carrying ammonia, which matters for the new green energy world. Safety was also kept high on the list, with special attention to Indian seafarers in sensitive sea zones. The meeting ended with a call for better teamwork between ministries and faster action on all plans.
