India charts maritime digital future at IT Conclave 2025

The launch of the redesigned DG Shipping website, offering multilingual support and mobile responsiveness for seafarers and shipowners, alongside the first phase of the e-Samudra platform integrating over 60 maritime services like chartering approvals, financial assistance, and digital registrations, marks a major digital advancement

Marking a significant step towards modernising India’s maritime governance, the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS), under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, hosted the “IT Conclave 2025 – Leveraging Technology in Maritime” in the capital on August 7.

Inaugurated by Union Minister for Ports, Shipping & Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal and Minister of State Shantanu Thakur, the conclave showcased a series of technology-driven initiatives aimed at building a smarter, more secure, and transparent maritime ecosystem. The event was jointly organised by DGS and the Company of Master Mariners of India (CMMI), and aligns with the national objectives of Digital India, Maritime India Vision 2030, and Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.

At the centre of the announcements was the unveiling of a revamped DG Shipping website, designed with multilingual support and mobile responsiveness to enhance accessibility for stakeholders, including seafarers, shipowners, and maritime training institutes.

The ministers also launched the first phase of the ambitious e-Samudra platform, a cloud-based digital interface that seeks to integrate over 60 maritime services into a single portal. The initial rollout includes services related to vessel chartering approvals, shipbuilding financial assistance, and digital registration for multimodal transport operators.

Towards a smart blue economy

Highlighting the importance of digital governance, Sonowal described these moves as a paradigm shift in the maritime domain. He noted that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, India is embracing technology to foster transparency, efficiency, and global competitiveness in shipping.

A pilot for an AI-driven digital examination system was also introduced at MMD Noida, further underlining the government’s push for automation and smart systems. Additionally, a strategic roadmap was released, detailing the Directorate’s plans to adopt cutting-edge technologies such as AI, blockchain, IoT, and geospatial analytics to enhance operations across the sector.

Minister Thakur added that these innovations would significantly improve service delivery and simplify compliance procedures, ultimately strengthening India’s position in global maritime trade. As India looks toward a technology-driven maritime future, these initiatives signal a firm commitment to building a resilient, efficient, and digitally empowered blue economy.