India has launched a new Logistics Port Performance Index for FY 2024-25 along with 4 digital maritime governance initiatives aimed at improving port efficiency, transparency, vessel registration, seafarer welfare and ship recycling, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways said in a statement on 29 May.
The initiatives were launched by Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal during the 37th Foundation Day celebrations of the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) in Mumbai.
The Logistics Port Performance Index, developed under the Sagar Aankalan framework, will serve as a national benchmarking mechanism to assess and improve the operational performance of Indian ports.
The index is aligned with the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, Maritime India Vision 2030 and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047. It seeks to strengthen India’s position in global logistics and maritime trade.
“We have introduced the Logistics Port Performance Index (LPPI) for FY 2024-25. It is a major step towards improving the efficiency, transparency & global competitiveness of Indian ports,” Sonowal said.
He added that the index would promote continuous improvement and global benchmarking, helping strengthen India’s position as a leading maritime power.
The LPPI evaluates ports across 3 cargo segments – dry bulk, liquid bulk and container cargo.
The assessment uses indicators such as cargo handled, vessel turnaround time, berth idle time, pre-berthing waiting time, container dwell time and ship berth day output.
The framework gives equal weightage to absolute performance and year-on-year improvement, encouraging ports to improve both their current operational standards and their future performance.
Along with the LPPI, Sonowal launched 4 digital initiatives developed by the Directorate General of Shipping. These include a 24×7 Grievance Redressal Module under the e-Navik platform, a Ship Registration Module on the e-Samudra platform, a Medical Practitioner Module and a Unified Ship Recycling Credit Note Module.
The grievance redressal system will allow Indian seafarers to file complaints from anywhere in the world through the e-Navik portal, toll-free helplines, WhatsApp and dedicated email services.
“Seafarers work far away from home, often under difficult and uncertain conditions. An effective grievance redressal mechanism is not merely an administrative necessity but a critical welfare and protection framework,” Sonowal said.
The Ship Registration Module is aimed at simplifying vessel registration procedures and bringing India’s maritime administration closer to practices followed by major global shipping nations.
The Medical Practitioner Module will help streamline the registration and monitoring of doctors authorised to certify seafarers and reduce the risk of fraudulent certifications.
The Unified Ship Recycling Portal has been launched for the Ship Recycling Credit scheme, which is part of the government’s ₹70,000-crore maritime development package announced in 2025.
Under the scheme, ship owners recycling vessels at Hong Kong Convention-compliant Indian yards can receive a credit note equivalent to 40 per cent of the vessel’s scrap value.
The credit note can be redeemed against new shipbuilding projects in India.
JNPA’s performance was also highlighted during the event. The port crossed 8 million TEUs and handled more than 102 million metric tonnes of cargo during FY 2025-26.
“Over the last 37 years, JNPA’s journey has mirrored the transformation of India’s maritime sector itself from a conventional port ecosystem to a globally competitive logistics and trade gateway,” Sonowal said.
The minister also referred to the launch of the indigenous Vessel Traffic Service, the AI-powered tender evaluation platform NIVIDA and multiple strategic MoUs signed during the event as part of JNPA’s next phase of innovation and operational growth.
Among major performers in the LPPI rankings, Paradip Port Authority topped the Dry Bulk Cargo category after handling more than 5 million tonnes.
Sikka Port and Terminals led the Liquid Bulk Cargo segment.
Mundra Port emerged as the highest-ranked port in the Container Cargo category after handling more than 0.5 million TEUs.
JNPA secured the second position among major container ports in the Container Cargo category.
Sonowal also said India’s ranking in the World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index improved from 44th to 22nd in the International Shipments category. He added that 7 Indian ports featured among the world’s top 100 ports in the World Bank’s Container Port Performance Index 2024.
The event was attended by senior officials from the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, the Directorate General of Shipping, Mumbai Port Authority, JNPA and representatives from the maritime, logistics and trade sectors.
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