Source: PIB
Context:
The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has launched the Logistics Port Performance Index (LPPI) for FY 2024-25, along with four major digital governance platforms, during the 37th Foundation Day of the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA), India’s busiest container port. The reforms together mark a structural shift in India’s maritime administration, from paper-based, fragmented workflows to an integrated, AI-ready, and cloud-governed digital framework. The reforms have been developed mainly by the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, and are linked to the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan and the Sagar Aankalan framework for port performance benchmarking
Key Highlights
- Occasion: 37th Foundation Day of Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA).
- Launched by: Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
- Developer: Directorate General of Shipping (DGS), Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
Five reforms launched:
| # | Initiative | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Logistics Port Performance Index (LPPI) | Benchmarks Indian ports across three cargo segments |
| 2 | 24×7 e-Navik Grievance Redressal Module | Global grievance channel for Indian seafarers |
| 3 | e-Samudra Ship Registration Module | Digitises ship registration under the Indian flag |
| 4 | Medical Practitioner Module | Verified database of doctors certifying maritime crew fitness |
| 5 | Unified Ship Recycling Portal (Credit Note Module) | Links eco-compliant ship recycling to new shipbuilding incentives |
About the News (Q&A)
What was launched, and where?
The Logistics Port Performance Index (LPPI) for FY 2024-25 and four major digital governance platforms were launched at the 37th Foundation Day of the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA).
What is the Logistics Port Performance Index?
A port-benchmarking index built under the Sagar Aankalan framework and aligned with PM Gati Shakti, that ranks Indian ports across Dry Bulk, Liquid Bulk, and Container Cargo using metrics like vessel turnaround time, berth idle time, pre-berthing waiting time, and ship berth day output, balancing absolute performance with year-on-year improvement.
What is the e-Navik Grievance Redressal Module?
A 24×7 global welfare interface for Indian seafarers, allowing them to raise grievances from anywhere in the world through the e-Navik portal, WhatsApp, dedicated emails, and international toll-free helplines.
What does the e-Samudra Module do?
It digitises and streamlines ship registration under the Indian flag, helping shipowners avoid administrative delays and bringing India closer to the ease of registration offered by open-registry maritime nations.
What is the Medical Practitioner Module?
A central digital database for registering and verifying medical professionals who issue fitness certificates to maritime crews, designed to stop fraudulent health certifications.
What does the Unified Ship Recycling Portal offer?
Under the ₹70,000 crore Maritime Development Package, shipowners who recycle aging vessels at Hong Kong Convention-compliant Indian yards automatically get a digital credit note worth 40 per cent of the ship’s scrap value, which can be redeemed against new shipbuilding projects in India.
Background Concepts (Q&A)
What is the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS), and What is Its Role?
The Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) is the principal maritime administration agency of the Government of India, headquartered in Mumbai, and functions under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. Set up under the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958, DGS is responsible for: (a) regulating merchant shipping in India; (b) ship registration under the Indian flag; (c) safety of life at sea (SOLAS) implementation; (d) seafarer recruitment, training, certification, and welfare; (e) enforcement of international maritime conventions (MARPOL, SOLAS, MLC 2006, Hong Kong Convention) in India; (f) port state and flag state control inspections; and (g) administration of laws like the Recycling of Ships Act, 2019. DGS is the regulator and developer of most of India’s maritime workforce, and it is the nodal agency for the four new digital modules launched alongside the LPPI.
Practice MCQs
Q1. With reference to the recent maritime digital reforms launched in India, consider the following statements:
- The reforms were launched on the 37th Foundation Day of the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA).
- They include the Logistics Port Performance Index (LPPI) and four digital governance platforms developed by the Directorate General of Shipping.
- The Logistics Port Performance Index has been developed under the Sagar Aankalan framework and aligned with the PM Gati Shakti Master Plan.
- The LPPI benchmarks ports across three cargo verticals: Dry Bulk, Liquid Bulk, and Container Cargo.
How many of the above statements are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None
Q2. Consider the following statements about the new digital modules launched alongside the LPPI:
- The 24×7 e-Navik Grievance Redressal Module is a global welfare interface for Indian seafarers.
- The e-Samudra Ship Registration Module digitises the process of registering commercial vessels under the Indian flag.
- The Medical Practitioner Module manages a verified database of doctors authorised to issue fitness certificates to maritime crews.
- The Unified Ship Recycling Portal allows shipowners who recycle vessels at Hong Kong Convention-compliant Indian yards to receive a credit note worth 40 per cent of the ship’s scrap value.
Which of the above are correct? (a) 1, 2 and 3 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2 and 4 only (d) 1 and 4 only (e) All four
Q3. With reference to the Hong Kong International Convention for Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, consider the following statements:
- The convention was adopted under the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
- It covers the entire life cycle of a ship, from design and construction to recycling.
- Each ship covered by the convention is required to have an Inventory of Hazardous Materials (IHM).
- India has aligned its Recycling of Ships Act, 2019, with the Hong Kong Convention.
Which of the above are correct? (a) 1, 2 and 3 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2 and 4 only (d) 1 and 4 only (e) All four
Q4. Consider the following statements about the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS):
- DGS is the principal maritime administration agency of the Government of India, headquartered in Mumbai.
- It functions under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
- DGS handles ship registration, seafarer welfare, and enforcement of international maritime conventions in India.
- The Directorate General of Shipping is a private commercial body that operates Indian shipping companies.
Which of the above are correct? (a) 1, 2 and 3 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2 and 4 only (d) 1 and 4 only (e) All four
Answer Key
- (d), All four statements are correct.
- (e), All four statements are correct.
- (e), All four statements are correct.
- (a), Statements 1, 2, 3 are correct. Statement 4 is wrong; the DGS is a government regulatory body, NOT a private commercial entity. It does not operate shipping companies; it regulates the merchant shipping sector.
