Copyright infringement not intended

Picture Courtesy:  NEWSONAIR

Context

India signed an agreement with the FAO to develop world-class Blue Ports under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). Three pilot harbors—Vanakbara (Diu), Karaikal (Puducherry), and Jakhau (Gujarat)—are set for modernization with a ₹369.8 crore investment.

What Is the India-FAO Blue Ports Initiative?

The Blue Ports Initiative is a collaborative effort to transform fishing harbors into smart, sustainable, and inclusive hubs that integrate advanced technology, environmental stewardship, and social equity to bolster India’s fisheries sector and coastal livelihoods.

Organizations Involved

Department of Fisheries (DoF), Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying (MoFAHD).

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), a UN agency focused on defeating hunger and promoting sustainable agriculture and fisheries.

Aims of the Initiative

Enhance post-harvest efficiency and reduce losses.

Ensure traceability and export compliance to boost India’s seafood exports.

Strengthen food and nutritional security.

Empower coastal communities through inclusive growth.

What are the features of Blue Ports?

Integrating Smart Technology: IoT sensors, AI, 5G, satellite communication, real-time data analytics for efficient port management, safety, and traceability.

Sustainable Infrastructure: Rainwater harvesting, energy-efficient lighting, electric equipment, robust waste management, and sewage treatment to reduce carbon footprint.

Climate Resilience: Infrastructure to withstand cyclones, sea-level rise; compliance with MARPOL (International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships).

Social Inclusion: Women-friendly facilities, safer workplaces, stakeholder participation (cooperatives, fishers).

What Are the Challenges in Implementing Blue Ports in India?

Environmental and climate

Pollution: Ports release marine pollution from oil, waste, and industrial effluent.

Climate vulnerability: Rising sea levels and extreme weather events threaten coastal infrastructure. Some ports, including Diamond Harbour and Haldia, have recorded sea-level increases faster than the national average.

Habitat destruction: Construction and dredging threaten coastal habitats and biodiversity.

Financial and investment

High capital costs: Transitioning to green infrastructure is costly. A 2024 report from the National Institute of Public Finance and Policy (NIPFP) highlighted that India needs $2.5 trillion by 2030.

Harmful subsidies: Existence of harmful fisheries subsidies reinforces unsustainable practices, with India providing a modest $35 per fisher annually compared to up to $76,000 in some European nations.

Technological and infrastructural

Inadequate infrastructure: Many smaller ports still have outdated equipment and inadequate berthing facilities.

Sub-optimal connectivity: Poor rail, road, and inland waterway connectivity to port hinterlands increases logistics costs.  

Tech gaps: Adoption of technologies like AI, IoT, and green shipping fuels is slow. India's reliance on foreign vessels for subsea cable repairs shows a continuous technology gap. 

Regulatory and governance

Fragmented policies: Governance is split across multiple ministries, causing coordination failures.  

Relaxed regulations: The 2018 Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification relaxed environmental protections, prioritizing development over coastal conservation.

Weak enforcement: Inconsistent enforcement of environmental rules allows for ecosystem damage. 

Social and human

Community opposition: Displacement of fishing communities due to port development, as seen in Mundra, remains a contentious issue.

Livelihood threats: Overfishing threatens coastal livelihoods. A 2022 CMFRI study found 8.2% of India's fish stocks were overfished.

Skill gaps: A shortage of adequately trained manpower and resistance to new technology impede progress toward efficient, modern ports. 

Way Forward for India

Technology and infrastructure

Green fuel adoption: Promote green fuels like hydrogen, ammonia, and methanol for shipping. The Green Tug Transition Programme (GTTP) aims for all major ports to have Green Tugs.

Renewable energy integration: Increase port energy from renewables, targeting over 60% by 2030, per the Maritime India Vision (MIV) 2030.

Smart port operations: Employ AI, IoT, and blockchain to improve efficiency and reduce environmental impact. The Sagarmala Startup Innovation Initiative (S2I2) backs startups developing these technologies. 

Financing and investment

Innovative financing: Use Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) and leverage mechanisms like the ₹25,000-crore Maritime Development Fund (MDF) to secure large-scale funding for green projects.

Blue finance frameworks: Develop standards for "blue financing" to attract investors to sustainable maritime initiatives.

Targeted subsidies: Address harmful subsidies in fossil fuels and fisheries to redirect investment toward sustainable practices. 

Policy and governance

Unified authority: Establish a central body, like the proposed National Blue Economy Advisory Council (BEAC), to coordinate fragmented governance across different ministries.

Integrated planning: Implement Coastal Marine Spatial Planning (CMSP) to balance economic activity and conservation.

Social and community development

Livelihood support: Expand schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) to modernize fisheries and support coastal communities.

Skill development: Extend training and upskilling programs for port workers to adopt new technologies.

Inclusive planning: Ensure coastal communities are involved in Blue Port planning to address livelihood concerns and promote equitable development. 

Conclusion

India and FAO launched the Blue Port Infrastructure project to modernize harbors with 5G and AI, promoting sustainable, inclusive fisheries and advancing India’s Blue Economy goals.

Source: NEWSONAIR