Shipping Ministry Hosts Workshop on Digital Transformation to Realise Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047
New Delhi, April 29, 2025 — In a decisive step towards building a technologically advanced maritime sector, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) on Monday hosted a one-day workshop on IT Procurement and Project Management in New Delhi. The event forms a critical part of India’s strategic drive toward achieving the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, a vision that seeks to transform the country’s maritime infrastructure into a global benchmark through digital innovation, sustainable development, and efficient service delivery.
Virtually inaugurating the workshop, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, underscored the significance of digital transformation as the backbone of a future-ready maritime ecosystem. “Technology is no longer a choice—it is the defining driver of progress,” the Minister said. “Our goal is to integrate intelligent digital tools that will modernise port operations, empower our workforce, and deliver superior services to all maritime stakeholders.”
The workshop was organised to enhance digital efficiency and streamline the implementation of IT projects across India’s shipping and port infrastructure. The event brought together senior officials from the Ministry, representatives from major ports, and stakeholders from associated organisations, reflecting a strong spirit of collaboration across the sector.
Addressing the participants in person, Shri T.K. Ramachandran, Secretary of the Ministry, emphasized the foundational pillars of digital transformation—innovation, collaboration, and capacity building. “To lead in the global maritime domain, we must build systems that are not only efficient but also adaptive to rapid technological change. This requires deep institutional capacity and coordinated efforts,” Ramachandran said.
The workshop featured a series of technical sessions that explored the multifaceted challenges faced in the execution of IT projects. Experts and project leaders engaged in detailed discussions to identify root causes of inefficiencies and develop actionable strategies for improvement. The sessions incorporated case studies from ongoing projects, providing practical insights and real-world lessons from within the Ministry’s own digital portfolio.
One of the central highlights of the event was a presentation on the Digital Centre of Excellence (DCoE), a visionary initiative proposed as a centralized hub for IT project design, delivery, and management. The DCoE will be developed in collaboration with the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (CDAC), and is expected to serve as a backbone institution driving high-quality, scalable digital initiatives across India’s maritime sector.
“The DCoE will allow us to consolidate our digital efforts under one umbrella, ensuring quality assurance, robust architecture, and timely delivery of IT systems,” said Shri R. Lakshmanan, Joint Secretary (IT), MoPSW, who spearheaded the workshop discussions. “We are laying the digital foundation for Amrit Kaal, and we need to build systems that are intelligent, secure, and inclusive.”
Live demonstrations at the workshop showcased some of the Ministry’s latest technological innovations. This included SPARSH, a real-time performance monitoring dashboard for ports, and Counsello, an AI-powered advisory platform developed by startups. Both tools represent a growing trend toward integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) into core maritime operations, from logistics optimization to stakeholder communication.
Participants were also introduced to Draft IT Procurement Guidelines, a critical framework designed to streamline the acquisition and deployment of technology across MoPSW and its associated bodies. Attendees were invited to provide feedback on these draft guidelines, bringing in practical experience from the ground to refine the policies for broader implementation.
The workshop served not only as a knowledge-sharing platform but also as a call to action for building resilient, future-ready digital systems. The emphasis was on aligning all efforts with the broader Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047—a vision that aims for a digitally empowered maritime sector, contributing to India’s growth as a global trade hub.
In his closing remarks, Secretary Ramachandran reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to transformative digital execution. “The success of our digital journey lies in seamless integration of next-generation technologies, strong project governance, and inclusive stakeholder participation. This workshop is a testament to our unified vision for 2047.”
The workshop concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by the Deputy Director (IT) of MoPSW, who acknowledged the valuable contributions of all attendees and emphasised the importance of continuous collaboration to ensure effective digital implementation.
As India charts its course toward becoming a global maritime powerhouse by 2047, the Shipping Ministry’s latest workshop reflects a clear intent: to harness the power of technology, enhance institutional capabilities, and deliver smarter, safer, and more sustainable maritime services for the future.
