India plans 62 vessels worth ₹51,383 crore in FY 2026–27 to add 2.85 million GT shipping capacity
Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said on 29 April 2026 that India plans to add 62 vessels in FY 2026–27 with an investment of ₹51,383 crore, creating 2.85 million gross tonnage of additional capacity.
Summary
Union Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal chaired an inter-ministerial review on the Strait of Hormuz situation on 29 April 2026 and said India is advancing a roadmap to add 62 vessels in FY 2026–27, backed by ₹51,383 crore, creating an additional 2.85 million gross tonnage (GT) of capacity. Sonowal called for urgent expansion of container vessels, LPG and crude carriers, tankers, dredgers and green tugs to make Indian trade resilient against external disruptions, and directed an actionable white paper on maritime gaps, targets and a roadmap. Officials from MoPNG, oil PSUs, the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers, DG Shipping, the National Shipping Board and DGFT attended.
Key facts
- Plan
- 62 vessels in FY 2026–27
- Investment
- ₹51,383 crore
- Capacity
- +2.85 million GT
- Context
- Inter-ministerial review on Strait of Hormuz situation, 29 April 2026
- Directive
- Actionable white paper on maritime gaps, targets and roadmap
Practice MCQs 2 questions
How many vessels does India plan to add in FY 2026–27 under the roadmap announced by Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on 29 April 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — 62
Sonowal said India is advancing a roadmap to add 62 vessels in FY 2026–27, backed by ₹51,383 crore, creating 2.85 million GT of capacity.
Consider the following statements about India's FY 2026–27 shipping capacity plan announced on 29 April 2026: 1. The plan is backed by an investment of ₹51,383 crore. 2. It aims to add 2.85 million gross tonnage of capacity. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct as per the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways release.