Shipping Ministry Mulls Dedicated Satellite To Bolster India’s Maritime Governance And Port Management

Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal has announced that the government is considering launching a dedicated satellite or acquiring a specialised transponder to enhance India’s maritime governance and port management systems, IANS reported.

Speaking on the need for advanced space-based infrastructure, Sonowal said that the ministry should plan to launch a satellite of our own or acquire a dedicated transponder for the Indian maritime sector.

He added that such a step would significantly strengthen the nation’s coastal and port management framework.

According to the minister, the proposed system would provide exclusive coverage of Indian coastal waters, inland waterways and port regions, while integrating with national maritime databases.

This would enable real-time monitoring of vessel traffic, improved navigational safety, early detection of congestion, and better preparedness for search and rescue, pollution control and disaster management.

“This will help in enhanced vessel traffic monitoring, real-time ship tracking across India's coastline and EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone), early identification of congestion and improved navigational safety. It will also improve preparedness for search-and-rescue, pollution control and disaster management, while reducing dependence on foreign navigation systems and supporting Atmanirbhar Bharat vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” Sonowal highlighted.

Recalling milestones in space exploration, the minister cited the launch of Aditya-L1 in 2023, India’s first solar observatory, and noted that Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla recently became the first Indian to complete a mission to the International Space Station.

He added that the upcoming Gaganyaan mission and plans for an Indian space station reflect the country’s growing ambitions.

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