The Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways has taken significant steps to strengthen India's maritime industry through the Sagarmala Programme. The focus is on promoting Ro-Ro (Roll-on, Roll-off) ferry transportation, which offers several benefits over traditional modes of transportation, such as shorter trip distances, lower logistics cost, and less pollution.

Under the Sagarmala Programme, the Ministry has successfully operationalized Ro-Pax Ferry services between Ghogha-Hazira in Gujarat and Mumbai-Mandwa in Maharashtra, which have transported over 24.15 lakh passengers and 4.58 lakh cars and 36.3 thousand trucks.

To standardize and streamline the development and operation of these services, the Ministry has constituted a High-level Committee under the Chairman of Deendayal Port Authority. The Committee will draft revised guidelines for operationalizing Ro-Ro and Ro-Pax ferry services along the coast of India, and draft Model Concession Agreements for Ro-Ro/Ro-Pax Terminal Operators and Model License Agreements for the operation of Ro-Ro/Ro-Pax/Fast Passenger Ferries.

In the Union Budget 2023-24, the promotion of coastal shipping as a low-cost and energy-efficient mode of transport for both passengers and freight through Public-Private Partnership mode has been proposed. The Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, has emphasized the importance of this step in aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of integrating waterways with the country's economic development.

Under the Sagarmala Programme, the Ministry is financially supporting 51 urban water transportation projects worth ~Rs. 1,900 Crore, with 10 projects worth ~Rs. 500 Crore already completed. These initiatives aim to boost the urban water transportation services in India and provide world-class infrastructure and services all along the coastline.