Cargo movement through coastal shipping and inland waterways are sustainable and environment friendly. Hence, an impetus has been given in the Sagarmala Programme to undertake projects which will result in shift of cargo from land-based transportation to coastal and inland waterways mode. 224 projects at cost of Rs. 14,295 crore have been undertaken for implementation. Out of total 224 projects, 57 projects worth Rs. 3,272 crore have been completed, 58 projects worth Rs. 4,596 crore are under implementation and 109 projects worth Rs. 6,428 are under various stages of planning.

ROPAX service: This is a water transport service which benefits reduction in the travel time, vehicular emission and traffic on the road. Indian with long coastline and riverine connections has too much potential for executing such projects.

Sagarmala aims to reduce logistics cost through minimal infrastructure, also water transport being economical as well as eco-friendly mode of transport, there are various projects which specifically focuses on promotion of cruise passenger transport, Ro-Ro ferry and Ro-Pax movement across several routes.

Overall, there are 74 projects related to development of RoPax and Passenger jetties identified under Sagarmala Programme and being implemented across country. List consists of projects for development of RORO jetties, terminal buildings, dredging, construction of passenger jetties, etc. Out of 74, 19 projects have been completed, 20 projects are currently under implementation, and 35 projects are under planning.

MoPSW under Sagarmala Scheme has extended financial assistance to 29 projects. Total funds sanctioned are Rs. 622 crore and Rs. 523 crore have been released already.

Coastal Shipping: This is a fuel efficient, environment friendly mode of transport that can ease traffic congestion on road and rail and arrest loss of human lives caused due to accidents. Primary Challenges in coastal shipping are non-availability of return cargo, lack of dedicated coastal shipping infrastructure, dependency of first and last mile connectivity on other modes, insufficient parcel size for transporting through vessel.

There are 25 projects worth Rs. 2,883 crore which focuses on providing infrastructure for coastal handling of cargo. 7 projects worth Rs. 537 crore have been completed, 9 projects are currently under implementation, and 9 more projects are under various stages of planning. 6 projects are being implemented at major ports whereas 18 projects are for improving coastal infrastructure at non-major ports.

Seaplane Projects: MoPSW has initiated the process for commencing operations of the Seaplane services. The operational methodology adopted is of constructing water aerodromes at the origin & destination points, wherein the seaplanes will utilize the water bodies for taking off and landing like the current operational model of the Ahmedabad- Kevadia sector in Gujarat. There are 5 sea plane projects worth Rs. 1,000 crore which are currently under planning phase.

Cruise Shipping: 14 projects amounting to Rs. 1,001 crore are being undertaken to improve infrastructure related to cruise shipping in India. Majority of these infrastructures are being developed with the allied facility at Major ports.

Few notable cruise tourism projects under Sagarmala programme are-

1. Domestic terminal at Mumbai Port implemented with investment of Rs. 364 crore
2. International Cruise Terminal at Ernakulam Wharf with investment of Rs. 25.72 crore
3. Development of Cruise Passenger Facilitation Centre at Chennai Port Trust with investment of Rs. 18 crore
4. Upgrading and modernization of International Cruise Terminal at Indira Dock costing Rs. 363 crore is currently under construction
5. Development of international and domestic cruise terminal and allied facilities at Mormugao Port underway with investment of Rs. 87.44 crore
6. Development of Marina at Prince Dock in Mumbai Port is also under planning stage with total investment of Rs. 365 crore

Policy and infrastructure required at the ports and terminal are being implemented in tandem which has resulted in increased number of cruise ships calls and number of cruise passengers across the coastline.

Inland Waterways: There are 37 projects of Inland Waterways with total estimated investment of Rs.4,771 crore part of Sagarmala Programme. 10 projects including NW9 in Kerala and terminal at Pandu and Dhubri have been completed, 16 projects currently under implementation at NW1 (Jal Marg Vikas Project of Rs. 5369 crore connecting Allahabad with Haldia), NW2 (Rs. 461 crore) and NW16 (Rs. 76 crore) connecting to Indo-Bangladesh Protocol (IBP) Route, etc. The projects are being executed by Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), an autonomous body under MoPSW and State Agencies.