India targets 12% waterborne freight share by 2047, plans ₹1,500-crore Puri cruise terminal

India plans to double the share of coastal shipping and inland waterways in freight movement to 12% by 2047, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said at a Consultative Committee meeting in Puri, Odisha, on 3 November.

Sonowal also announced a proposed ₹1,500-crore Puri International Cruise Terminal, to be developed jointly by Paradip Port Authority and the Odisha government. The initiatives form part of efforts to expand waterborne logistics and cruise tourism.

The Coastal Cargo Promotion Scheme will provide incentives to cargo owners, coastal vessel operators and multimodal transport operators. Sonowal said coastal cargo handled at Indian ports had increased from 74 million tonnes to 177 million tonnes over the past 12 years.

Announced in the Union Budget 2026–27, the scheme seeks to encourage cargo movement from road and rail towards water transport. The budget also outlined plans to operationalise 20 additional National Waterways over five years.

This story was originally published by Maritime Gateway. Read the full story at Maritime Gateway →