New Delhi: The government is committed to addressing the various challenges faced by the maritime sector and is organising various conferences and initiatives for the same, said a press statement. A recently held conference in Kochi, Kerala, on ‘Challenges and Prospective Solutions in Inland Waterways and Shipbuilding’ was one such step.
The conference brought together government officials, industry experts and stakeholders to discuss the pressing issues faced by the maritime sector. The event was jointly organised by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), and Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI).
The conference was held in two sessions, with the first focused on the decarbonisation of the maritime sector and the need for green fuels. The importance of promoting green hydrogen fuel cell inland vessels was discussed as a way to achieve this.
The second session delved into the financing challenges faced by the shipping sector in India. The need for a dedicated sectoral maritime development fund was highlighted as a critical step in providing the financial support required for sustainable growth in the sector.
The conference was well received by the industry participants who expressed their commitment to addressing the challenges faced by the maritime sector. The government was also actively engaged in listening to the suggestions and feedback provided by the participants. It is expected that the various steps taken by the government will help in addressing the challenges and promoting the growth of the maritime sector in India.