With global crude tanker rates rising again, India is considering building and owning its own oil shipping fleet to reduce dependence on expensive transport. The challenge: tankers demand huge upfront capital and specialized expertise to design and operate at scale. What worked for iPhones may not translate easily to crude carriers.
India’s updated shipping law has replaced the decades old 1958 framework, but banks remain unable to treat vessels as collateral. The gap is keeping credit from reaching shipowners and slowing financing that could modernize fleets and strengthen ports. The big question: can lending rules catch up with policy so India can truly position itself as a maritime hub?
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Iran says it captured two foreign ships and fired on a third near the Strait of Hormuz, accusing them of violating transit rules. At least one Indian seafarer is reported among the crew of a vessel taken by Iran, though all Indian seafarers on the affected ships are said to be safe. The move comes after the US seized an Iranian ship.
Amid regional tensions, India’s Ministry of External Affairs said 10 Indian ships have safely exited the Strait of Hormuz, but 14 vessels remain stranded in the Persian Gulf. The government is in contact with Iranian authorities for the safe return of the stranded ships. Separately, the MEA confirmed Commander Purnendu Tiwari remains detained in Qatar, with support efforts underway for him and his family.
The Union Cabinet, chaired by Narendra Modi, has approved a ₹12,980 crore Sovereign Maritime Fund to insure Indian-flagged, India-bound and India-originating vessels. The decision is designed to improve maritime trade resilience, lower dependence on foreign insurers, and protect shipping operations as global uncertainties keep rising.
India and Singapore are working on a roadmap to build digital corridors and green shipping infrastructure, targeting decarbonisation in maritime trade. Officials say details on investment, future fuel demand, and required facilities are in the final stages. The plan pairs India’s green energy strengths with Singapore’s role as a major shipping hub, aiming to create new opportunities for both.
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Maersk’s Niels Bruus says the toughest barrier to increasing women at sea is the mindset of men onboard, many of whom are not used to working with women on ships. The company plans to shift attitudes through training and hiring, targeting an equal split between women and men in cadet intake from India by 2027.
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