Digitisation of port operations a key focus of the government: Sonowal
The government of India has been actively working on digitising port operations to enhance efficiency, transparency and ease of doing business in the maritime sector. The push for digitisation in port operations is a part of the broader "Port Modernisation” pillar under Sagarmala Programme, said the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Mr Sarbananda Sonowal, recently.
Digitisation of port operations is expected to bring significant improvements in port efficiency, translating into higher productivity, cost savings, reduced turnaround times, and improved supply chain management. Digital technologies will not only improve ports’ operational efficiency but also enhance their competitiveness on the global stage, facilitating smoother international trade and boosting the national economy, he highlighted.
To enhance efficiency and transparency, the government has inaugurated NLP-Marine with a vision to provide a one-stop platform aimed at connecting all the stakeholders of the logistics community using IT. Maritime Single Window (MSW) and Mercantile Marine Department (MMD) modules in Sagar Setu (NLP-Marine) have also been launched. The MSW module is a cutting-edge digital platform designed to revolutionise the exchange of maritime related information and documents, emphasising harmonisation and standardisation for efficient data submission.
Also, during the 20th MSDC meeting held in Goa in September, the Ministry had launched the National Safety in Ports Committee (NSPC) application on the National Single Window System platform. It was developed to streamline regulatory processes, improve efficiency and reduce costs for stakeholders, the Minister added.