In New Delhi a high-level inter-ministerial review meeting convened to reassess maritime preparedness in light of tensions in the Strait of Hormuz. The meeting was chaired by the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal and included senior officials from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, oil public sector undertakings, the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers, the Directorate General of Shipping, the National Shipping Board and the Directorate General of Foreign Trade. Discussions turned to accelerating domestic shipping capabilities and building a resilient maritime ecosystem.

The government advanced a roadmap to add 62 vessels in FY 2026–27 supported by an investment of Rs 513.83 billion (bn) and to increase capacity by two point eight five million (mn) gross tonnes (GT). The plan prioritises container vessels, liquefied petroleum gas carriers, crude carriers, green tugs, dredging vessels and tankers to strengthen trade continuity and reduce exposure to external disruptions. Emphasis was placed on expanding the container fleet and adopting green technologies to enhance operational resilience.

The minister directed the preparation of a concise, actionable white paper to identify gaps, set clear targets and establish a time-bound roadmap across key maritime pillars. This exercise was instructed to be undertaken in close coordination with the Ministries of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Chemicals and Fertilisers, and Commerce and Industry to ensure alignment with supply chain needs. The Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) was noted as equipped to build specialised vessels for ammonia transport and officials reviewed a joint venture with oil PSUs to acquire 59 vessels.

The minister urged urgent action to scale up shipbuilding capacity, upgrade port infrastructure and strengthen fleet readiness while agencies maintain heightened vigilance in sensitive maritime zones. The safety and security of Indian seafarers was stressed as paramount and stakeholders were asked to deliver focused, practical inputs for the next inter-ministerial review. The meeting concluded with a call for coordinated execution to position India as a globally competitive maritime nation while the government continues to monitor regional developments and advance long-term strategies.