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India has reaffirmed its growing influence in global maritime governance through an active and policy-driven participation at the 137th Session of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council, held in London from July 6 to 10. The country's delegation engaged in key discussions on maritime safety, governance reforms, digitalisation, seafarer welfare and international cooperation, reinforcing India's commitment to shaping the future of global shipping.
Led by Shyam Jagannathan, IAS, Director General of Maritime Administration, the Indian delegation advocated a balanced, consensus-based approach to reforms within the IMO. India stressed that any amendments to the organisation's rules should preserve its technical and collaborative character while ensuring greater transparency and consistency in maritime governance. The delegation also highlighted the need for contextual interpretation of audit outcomes under the IMO Member State Audit Scheme, cautioning against simplistic country rankings.
Seafarer welfare remained a key focus during the session. India called for stronger international collaboration to ensure timely repatriation, effective financial security mechanisms and improved implementation of the Maritime Labour Convention. The delegation showcased several digital initiatives, including the 24x7 e-Navik Seafarer Assistance Portal and an integrated crisis response framework designed to provide faster grievance redressal and support to Indian seafarers across the world.
On the sidelines of the Council meeting, the Indian delegation held high-level discussions with IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez, the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) and representatives from Kenya. The engagements focused on maritime digitalisation, global standards for seafarer welfare, capacity building, maritime education and stronger international partnerships.
India also highlighted its progress in digitising maritime administration through online certification systems, upgraded recruitment and training platforms and measures to curb fraudulent crewing practices. These initiatives are expected to enhance the global recognition and competitiveness of Indian seafarers while supporting efficient maritime compliance.
Addressing geopolitical concerns, India emphasised the importance of restoring peace and ensuring safe navigation through critical shipping routes, particularly the Strait of Hormuz. The delegation underlined that disruptions in strategic maritime corridors have significant implications for global supply chains, trade continuity and shipping costs, reiterating that dialogue and diplomacy remain the most effective means of resolving regional conflicts.
India's constructive interventions at the 137th IMO Council underscore its emergence as a responsible maritime nation that is actively contributing to safer, greener and more resilient global shipping. For the logistics and supply chain industry, India's growing role at the IMO is expected to support stronger maritime governance, improved seafarer welfare and enhanced resilience across international trade networks.
𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 CARGOCONNECT 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬!
Davies Turner is introducing a seasonal full-container-load (FCL) service from China to the UK using the Northern Sea Route, with a scheduled transit time of 21 days from Ningbo to Felixstowe. The freight forwarder will use sailings operated by Sea Legend for the new service, branded the Polar Silk Road. The programme is scheduled to run from August through October 2026, with departures planned at close to weekly intervals during the Arctic navigation season. The service is aimed at shippers seeking shorter transit times than conventional ocean freight without moving to the significantly higher cost of air freight. Cargo will be collected from six Chinese ports — Dalian, Fuzhou, Nansha, Qingdao, Shanghai and Taicang — and consolidated at Ningbo before being shipped to Felixstowe. From the UK port, Davies Turner will use its existing distribution network to move containers to destinations across the UK and mainland Europe. The Northern Sea Route runs along Russia's Arctic coast and provides a shorter maritime connection between Asia and northern Europe than routes through the Suez Canal or around the Cape of Good Hope. Its use is limited by seasonal navigation conditions, making the new service a temporary addition to Davies Turner's China-Europe offering. The company said the service is intended to give importers another option during the peak shipping period, particularly for cargo where conventional sea freight does not meet required delivery times. Tony Cole, Davies Turner's head of ocean, said the service would add another multimodal option for customers managing transit times and transport costs. The Polar Silk Road forms part of Davies Turner's wider expansion of its China-origin logistics network. The company has more than 150 years of experience in freight forwarding and provides sea, air and road transport, customs services, warehousing and supply chain operations. The Northern Sea Route service is scheduled to operate for an eight-week programme between August and October 2026. Follow CARGOCONNECT for more such news.
Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) has continued its strong growth trajectory by recording double-digit growth in both container traffic and overall cargo handling during the first four months of FY2026-27. The port handled 29,94,859 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of container traffic and 36.62 million tonnes of total cargo between April and July 2026, reaffirming its position as a key gateway for the country’s maritime trade. The latest operational data shows that container throughput grew by 14.37% year-on-year, while overall cargo volumes increased by 11.95% compared with the corresponding period of the previous financial year. The sustained performance reflects JNPA’s continued focus on operational efficiency, infrastructure development and seamless cargo movement across the logistics value chain. According to JNPA, the growth has been driven by improved vessel turnaround time, enhanced cargo handling efficiency, higher terminal productivity and better multimodal connectivity. The collaborative efforts of terminal operators, shipping lines, logistics service providers, customs authorities and other stakeholders have also played a crucial role in sustaining the port’s momentum. The port’s investments in modern infrastructure, digital initiatives and capacity augmentation have enabled it to efficiently manage rising cargo volumes while maintaining reliable and efficient operations. Its integrated road and rail connectivity, supported by ongoing modernisation programmes, continues to strengthen JNPA’s position as one of India’s leading logistics and container handling hubs. Performance highlights released by the authority indicate that JNPA handled 7,45,059 TEUs of containers and 8.78 million tonnes of cargo in July 2026 alone, registering year-on-year growth of 11.48% and 3.18%, respectively. During the April–July period, the port also handled 2,317 container rakes, with rail movement accounting for 391,563 TEUs, underlining the importance of multimodal transport in facilitating efficient cargo evacuation. The encouraging results underscore the resilience of India’s maritime sector and the growing confidence of global shipping lines and trade partners in JNPA’s capabilities. As international trade volumes continue to expand, the port remains focused on enhancing customer experience through faster cargo evacuation, improved logistics efficiency and sustainable port operations. With continued investments in infrastructure and technology, JNPA is well-positioned to support India’s expanding trade ambitions while contributing to the Government’s vision of developing the country into a globally competitive maritime and logistics hub. 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 CARGOCONNECT 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬!
The Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) has launched its largest-ever global shipbuilding tender, inviting bids for the construction of six next-generation cellular container vessels with a capacity of 8,000 TEU each. Valued at approximately $720 million, the project marks a significant milestone in India's efforts to modernise its merchant fleet while strengthening the country's shipbuilding ecosystem. The tender comprises a firm order for two vessels and an option for four additional ships. In line with the government's push to promote domestic shipbuilding under the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision, Indian shipyards will enjoy the Right of First Refusal (RoFR), enabling them to match the lowest bid submitted by an overseas yard and secure the contract. Designed for long-haul container operations, the new vessels will significantly enhance SCI's fleet capabilities and improve India's presence in global container shipping. The ships are expected to support growing export-import trade, provide greater operational flexibility and reduce dependence on foreign-flagged carriers for international cargo movement. The proposed vessels will feature advanced, environmentally sustainable technologies and are expected to comply with evolving international emission norms. Reports indicate that the ships are being planned with LNG-fuel-ready or alternative-fuel-ready capabilities, reflecting the global maritime industry's transition towards cleaner and more energy-efficient operations. The move aligns with the International Maritime Organization's decarbonisation targets and India's broader green shipping agenda. Industry observers believe the tender is likely to attract participation from leading shipyards in South Korea, Japan and Europe, while also encouraging strategic partnerships between global shipbuilders and Indian yards. Such collaborations could accelerate technology transfer, strengthen local manufacturing capabilities and improve the competitiveness of India's shipbuilding sector. The initiative also complements the Centre's long-term strategy to expand India's commercial fleet and develop indigenous shipbuilding capacity. With containerised trade continuing to grow and supply chains becoming increasingly diversified, investment in modern, fuel-efficient vessels is expected to improve cargo security, lower logistics costs and enhance India's position in global maritime trade. For SCI, the acquisition represents a major fleet expansion initiative aimed at meeting future cargo demand while operating a more efficient and environmentally compliant fleet. As the country's national carrier accelerates its modernisation programme, the tender is expected to play a pivotal role in advancing India's ambitions of becoming a global maritime and logistics hub. 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 CARGOCONNECT 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬!
