Coastal Shipping

Coastal Shipping: Coastal shipping is an energy effi­cient, environmental-friendly and economical mode of transport in the Indian transport network and a crucial component for the development of domestic industry and trade. India, with her 7,516.6 km long coastline studded with 12 major ports and 186 non-major ports providing
congenial and favourable conditions for the development. of this alternate mode of transport.

The National Shipping Board is a statutory body set up under the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958.

The Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) Ltd. was formed on October 2, 1961. The present authorised capital of the company is Rs 450 crore and paid up capital is Rs 282.30 crore. The status of SCI has been changed from a private limited company to public limited from September 18, 1992. The SCI was conferred 'Mini Ratna' status by the Government of India in February 2000. At present, the government is holding 80.12 per cent of the share capital. and the balance is held by financial institutions, public and others (NRIs, corporate bodies, etc.).

India has nine shipyards in the central public sector, and 19 small shipyards in the private sector to cater to the needs of the shipping sector. There are 17 dry docks in the country. The Cochin Shipyard at Cochin; Hindustan Ship­yard at Visakhapatnam; Garden Reach Ship Builders and Engineers at Kolkata; and Mazagaon Docks at Mumbai are major shipbuilding areas located in public sector. The Hooghly Dock and Port Engineers Limited are located at Kolkata.