(a) The percentage of sea territory of India in comparison to world sea territories;
(b) Whether the Government is aware that India has not been able to make optimal use of that territory through maritime traffic vis-à-vis other countries;
(c) If so, the details thereof along with the reasons therefor; and
(d) The steps taken/being taken by the Government in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SHIPPING
(SHRI PON. RADHAKRISHNAN)
(a) The percentage of sea territory of India (Exclusive Economic Zone) is about 0.6% of the world sea area.
(b)&(c):Yes, Madam. According to the India Transport Report of the National Transport Development Policy Committee of Planning Commission the share of water transport in domestic freight traffic is quite low as compared to other large economies such as China , USA and Japan. The reason for low maritime traffic is absence of assured return cargo, high manning cost, increase in cost due to multimodal options for last mile and first mile connectivity.
(d) The following steps have been taken by the Government to encourage growth in the transport of goods through coastal vessels;
(i) A River – Sea Vessels (RSV) Notification for moderating the technical and manning requirements for vessels operating within the Indian territorial waters was issued by the Directorate General of Shipping on 31.7.2013.
(ii) Directorate General of Shipping has issued an order declaring the Inland Vessel (IV) limits for facilitating coastal trade operations.
(iii) Coastal Shipping Rules for coastal vessels operating within 20 miles off the coast have been issued by the Directorate General of Shipping on 04.03.2014.
(iv) All major ports have been advised to introduce Green Channel for coastal cargo, Priority berthing for coastal vessels and construction of exclusive coastal berths.
(v) Government has exempted customs and Central Excise duty on bunker fuels (IFO 180 and IFO 380 CST) for use by coastal vessels carrying EXIM cargo and empty containers.
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