India unveiled the Logistics Port Performance Index for FY 2024-25 and four digital governance initiatives at the 37th foundation day of the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority in Mumbai. Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal launched the index and the platforms to improve efficiency and transparency across shipping. The measures form part of a drive to modernise ports and align operations with national logistics objectives.

The Logistics Port Performance Index, developed under the Sagar Aankalan framework, benchmarks port operations and aligns with the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, Maritime India Vision 2030 and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047. It assesses dry bulk, liquid bulk and container cargo segments using indicators such as cargo handled, vessel turnaround time, berth idle time, pre-berthing waiting time, container dwell time and ship berth day output. The framework gives equal weightage to absolute performance and year-on-year improvement to promote continuous enhancement.

The Directorate General of Shipping launched four digital modules, including a twenty-four by seven grievance redressal facility on e Navik, a ship registration module on e Samudra, a Medical Practitioner Module and a Unified Ship Recycling Credit Note Module. The grievance mechanism will accept complaints through portals, toll-free helplines, WhatsApp, and dedicated email, and is intended as a welfare and protection measure for seafarers under the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006. The Unified Ship Recycling Portal is part of a Rs 700 billion (bn) maritime development package and offers ship owners a credit note of forty per cent of scrap value redeemable against new shipbuilding in India.

The minister noted that JNPA crossed eight million (mn) TEUs and handled 102 mn metric tonnes (t) of cargo in FY 2025-26 and cited improved global logistics rankings. Paradip topped the dry bulk category with more than five million tons, Sikka led liquid bulk, and Mundra was the highest ranked for container cargo handling, with more than 0.5 million TEUs. The event also showcased the indigenous Vessel Traffic Service rollout, the AI tender evaluation platform NIVIDA and strategic memoranda of understanding signalling innovation.