Mumbai: India has unveiled the Logistics Port Performance Index (LPPI) for FY 2024-25 and launched four major digital initiatives aimed at improving governance, transparency, and ease of doing business in the maritime sector.
The announcements were made 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.
Developed under the Sagar Ankalan framework, the LPPI serves as a national benchmark to assess and enhance the operational performance of Indian ports. The index aligns with the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, Maritime India Vision 2030, and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, with the goal of strengthening India’s position in global logistics and maritime trade.
“The Logistics Port Performance Index is a major step towards improving the efficiency, transparency, and global competitiveness of Indian ports,” Sonowal said. “By encouraging continuous improvement and adherence to global standards, it will help India strengthen its position as a leading maritime nation.”
The LPPI evaluates ports across dry bulk, liquid bulk, and container cargo segments using key operational indicators such as cargo handled, vessel turnaround time, berth idle time, pre-berthing waiting time, container dwell time, and ship berth-day output.
Alongside the index, the Directorate General of Shipping launched four digital platforms: 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 an integrated ship recycling credit note module.
The grievance redressal system will allow Indian seafarers to register complaints from anywhere in the world through multiple channels, including the e-Navik portal, a toll-free helpline, WhatsApp, and dedicated email services.
Sonowal emphasized that an effective grievance redressal mechanism is a critical welfare measure for seafarers, reflecting India’s commitment to the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006.
The newly launched ship registration module is expected to simplify vessel registration procedures and align India’s maritime governance with international best practices. The medical practitioner module will streamline the registration and monitoring of doctors authorized to certify seafarers, reducing the risk of fraudulent certifications.
A key highlight of the event was the launch of the Integrated Ship Recycling Portal under the Ship Recycling Credit Scheme, 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 shipyards can receive credit notes worth up to 40 percent of the vessel’s scrap value, which can be used for new shipbuilding projects in India.
Praising JNPA’s performance, Sonowal noted that the port handled more than 8 million TEUs and over 102 million metric tonnes of cargo during FY 2025-26. He described JNPA’s growth over the past 37 years as a reflection of India’s broader maritime transformation from a traditional port ecosystem into a globally competitive logistics and trade hub.
The minister also highlighted the launch of an indigenous Vessel Traffic Service (VTS), an AI-powered tender evaluation platform, and several strategic agreements signed during the event as indicators of the port’s commitment to innovation and operational excellence.
Among the top performers in the LPPI rankings, Paradip Port Authority secured the highest position in the dry bulk cargo category, Sikka Port and Terminals led the liquid bulk segment, and Mundra Port topped the container cargo category. JNPA ranked second among major container ports.
Sonowal also noted India’s improving global logistics standing, stating that the country’s ranking in the international shipments category of the World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index improved from 44th to 22nd place, while seven Indian ports featured among the world’s top 100 ports in the World Bank’s Container Port Performance Index 2024.
