Page 164 - Technology Roadmap Transportation

TECHNOLOGY VISION 2035

1.1 SHIPPING: A VIABLE ALTERNATIVE From the foregoing, it can be envisaged that
India is the world’s third largest energy consumer, merchant navy is vital to India’s economy and
and its energy use is projected to grow at a rapid power. The maritime sector of India was among
pace supported by economic development, the finest in the world right from the days of the
urbanisation, improved electricity access and an Indus valley civilisation. History teaches us that
expanding manufacturing base. our nation was prosperous and influential when
we were strong at sea and we were subjugated
Shipping provides energy security to our country when we lost our strength at sea. In present and
by maintaining the supply of crude oil at all times future contexts also the importance of a strong
as India is heavily dependent on its import. Growth and superior Indian maritime sector as well as
of our economy has led to a number of coal-fired associated logistics infrastructure cannot be
power plants coming up across the country, but ruled out.
with limitations on mining as well as calorific values
of indigenous coal, these plants depend heavily on The future of maritime transport lies in the
coal import through shipping. Thus, here too, the development of “greener ships” with least harmful
shipping is adding on to energy security of our emissions by fully harnessing the technological
nation. advancements. The safety and security aspects
of maritime transportation will also need to be
Further, shipping is known to be the second addressed simultaneously. These will be achievable
line of defence for any nation and in case of any through investments in research & development
disturbance due to geo-political reasons, Indian (R&D), firm control over ECONOLOGY
flag ships can always be pressed into service for (Economy + Ecology + Technology) and solid
protection of the national borders and trade by government support.
maintaining the transport linkage.
The transformation of India’s maritime transport
Besides international shipping, coastal and inland sector, therefore, needs a clear, long-term and
shipping are equally important in the Indian sustainable vision encompassing initiatives that are
context, as these offer significant advantages over proactive for it to flourish and regain its lost glory.
road and rail transport in terms of fuel and cost
savings as well as environmental benefit. Increasing
delays in transporting goods due to high road and
rail congestion is going to force the adoption of
waterways as a preferred mode of transport and
will provide impetus to the growth of coastal and
inland shipping network in India in the future.

1.2 INFRASTRUCTURE
For promotion of water transportation, creation
and development of shipping infrastructure is
equally important. This may include but is not
limited to ship building industry, port facilities,
human resource and other logistics. It has been
established by various studies carried all over the
world that shipping has a multiplier effect on the
economy.

It is estimated that for every $1 in revenue earned
by an Indian flagged vessel, about 67 cents gets
ploughed back into the Indian economy, whereas
for every $1 in freight paid to a foreign flag vessel,
only 10 cents flows back into Indian economy.
Therefore, the growth of Indian shipping has the
potential to act as a catalyst in the development
of several other allied industries, leading to growth
of our economy and enhanced employment
opportunities for Indians.

162 WATERWAYS