BIMSTEC to Establish Sustainable Maritime Transport Centre in Mumbai

Mumbai to House BIMSTEC’s New Sustainable Maritime Transport Centre
Mumbai is set to become a key hub for maritime cooperation within the BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) region. A new Sustainable Maritime Transport Centre will be established in the city, marking a significant step towards bolstering sustainable practices in the maritime sector.
Boosting Maritime Cooperation in the Bay of Bengal
The centre will be located at the Maritime Training Institute in Powai, Mumbai. It will operate under the Indian Ocean Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Maritime Transport (IOCE-SMarT) framework. This initiative aims to foster collaboration and knowledge sharing among BIMSTEC member nations.
A Strategic Move for Sustainable Development
Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, announced the establishment of the centre at the second BIMSTEC Ports Conclave held in Visakhapatnam. The conclave, organized by the Visakhapatnam Port Authority (VPA), served as a platform to discuss and strategize on enhancing port infrastructure and maritime connectivity within the BIMSTEC region.
Minister Sonowal highlighted that the centre’s creation is a crucial step towards operationalizing the recently signed BIMSTEC Agreement on Maritime Transport Cooperation. This agreement aims to enhance connectivity, promote trade, and facilitate smoother maritime transport across the Bay of Bengal region.
Key Objectives of the Centre
The Sustainable Maritime Transport Centre will focus on several key areas:
- Promoting sustainable maritime practices.
- Enhancing maritime connectivity and infrastructure.
- Facilitating knowledge sharing and capacity building.
- Strengthening regional cooperation among BIMSTEC member states.
This initiative is expected to significantly contribute to the economic growth and development of the BIMSTEC region, while also ensuring environmentally responsible maritime practices.
- Mumbai to host BIMSTEC Sustainable Maritime Transport Centre.
- Centre to operate under IOCE-SMarT framework.
- Aims to boost maritime cooperation and sustainable practices in the Bay of Bengal region.
- The new centre signifies India’s commitment to sustainable maritime development in the BIMSTEC region.
- The BIMSTEC Agreement on Maritime Transport Cooperation is being actively implemented with this initiative.
- The centre is expected to become a regional hub for knowledge sharing and capacity building in the maritime sector.
- Enhanced maritime connectivity will benefit trade and economic growth for BIMSTEC nations.