India Launches SAGAR SETU and Digital Push for Ports

The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, has launched key digital and green initiatives to modernize India’s maritime sector. The highlight was the launch of SAGAR SETU, a unified digital logistics platform under PM Gati Shakti, aimed at improving efficiency, reducing paperwork, and enhancing ease of doing business across 80 ports and 40 stakeholders.

The Ministry also signed an MoU with CDAC to set up a Digital Centre of Excellence (DCoE) for accelerating the sector's digital transformation using AI, IoT, and blockchain. The DCoE will drive innovation, sustainable port operations, and align efforts with Maritime India Vision 2030 and Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.

Another major launch was the DRISHTI Framework, designed to fast-track maritime goals through real-time monitoring and institutional accountability.

To improve transparency in port tariffs, the Ministry introduced a standardized Scale of Rates (SOR) template for all major ports, enabling uniformity and easier comparison for trade users.

Furthering its commitment to clean energy, the Ministry released the “Gateway to Green” report in partnership with the Indian Ports Association, mapping the readiness of Indian ports like JNPT, Paradip, and Cochin to become global green hydrogen hubs. This supports India's vision to produce 5 million tons of green hydrogen by 2030.

Minister Sonowal emphasized that these initiatives mark a shift towards a greener, digitally empowered, and self-reliant maritime economy, aligned with India’s vision of becoming a developed nation by 2047.