National Workshop · 22–23 August 2026· Gandhinagar
Coast Connect
Workshop 2026
Coastal Shipping Act, 2025 — Navigating India's Maritime Future
Navigating India's Maritime Future through Global Collaboration in Coastal Shipping, Fisheries, Maritime Technology, Law and Sustainable Blue Economy
Event details
- Date
- 22–23 August 2026
- Venue
- Gujarat Maritime University
Gandhinagar, Gujarat
The Context
Why This Workshop Matters
The workshop tracks are redesigned directly in line with the provisions, implementation requirements, and strategic vision of the Coastal Shipping Act, 2025. The revised structure integrates maritime law, coastal logistics, vessel licensing, digital monitoring systems, fisheries governance, maritime security, inland waterway integration, and sustainability.
Logistics Cost Crisis
India's logistics cost is ~13–14% of GDP vs global benchmark of 8%. Coastal shipping can absorb 15–20% of surface freight. Annual logistics spend exceeds ₹14 trillion.
Multi-Regulatory Complexity
Coastal shipping previously operated under 7+ overlapping statutes. The 2025 Act consolidates these but implementation requires deep legal literacy.
Digital Infrastructure Gap
Only 34% of Indian ports have adequate digital infrastructure. Real-time vessel monitoring, AIS integration, and e-documentation are prerequisites for supply-chain security.
Fisheries & Livelihood at Stake
Over 4.2 million small-scale fishers operate in Indian coastal waters. New shipping corridors and sea-lane designations directly affect their safety and livelihoods.
Cabotage & Competitiveness
The Act's revised cabotage framework reserves coastal trade for Indian-flagged vessels. The workshop debates whether protecting domestic shipping at higher freight rates ultimately harms Indian exporters.
Workforce & Skill Deficit
Growth in coastal shipping will require 80,000+ additional certified crew by 2035.
Programme Structure
The Four Tracks
Sessions are organised across four thematic tracks, each led by a dedicated partner institution. Tracks converge in plenary sessions for cross-domain dialogue.
Logistics Cost Crisis & Port Infrastructure
Examines the operational, commercial, and institutional dimensions of implementing the Coastal Shipping Act from port readiness and PPP models to supply-chain integration and human resource strategy.
Multi-Regulatory Complexity
Unpacks the statutory provisions of the Act, cabotage rules, vessel registration, coastal zone regulations, dispute resolution, and alignment with international maritime law, including UNCLOS and IMO conventions.
Digital Infrastructure Gap
Focuses on the digital infrastructure to operationalise the Act — AIS/VMS systems, port community systems, cybersecurity, AI-assisted route optimisation, and smart surveillance for national security compliance.
Fisheries & Livelihood at Stake
Addresses the direct and indirect impact on India's 4.2 million marine fishers — sea-lane conflicts, registration of traditional craft, access to fishing grounds, safety standards, and BOBP's regional framework.
Audience
Who Should Attend
The Coastal Shipping Act 2025 impacts every participant in India's maritime ecosystem. Select a group to see specific relevance.
Shipping Companies
Navigate new registration, cabotage rules, and coastal trade corridors
Port Authorities
Meet mandated infrastructure standards and PPP opportunities
Fishing Communities
Protect fishing grounds and adapt to new safety norms
Logistics & Supply Chain
Unlock 30-40% cost savings via coastal multimodal integration
Policymakers & Regulators
Shape the Policy Brief and inform subordinate legislation
Academia & Researchers
Bridge research gaps and co-develop maritime technology
Technology Providers
Access a mandatory AIS/VMS market and government co-development
Marine Insurers & Financiers
Reshape underwriting for new liability and safety standards
Deliverables
Expected Outcomes
International Policy Brief on Coastal Shipping Governance
01Global Coastal Shipping Research Network
02Technology Demonstration and Maritime Innovation Showcase
03International White Paper on Coastal Shipping & Fisheries Coexistence
04Collaboration
Partners & Organizations
Lead Organizations
Gujarat Maritime University (GMU), Gandhinagar, Gujarat
Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA)
Speakers Invited
Indian Register of Shipping
Speaker: TBD
Deendayal Port Authority
Speaker: TBD
Bay of Bengal Programme Inter-Governmental Organisation (BOBP-IGO)
Speaker: TBD
Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar
Speaker: TBD
Indian Institute of Information Technology Gwalior
Speaker: TBD
National Institute of Technology Calicut
Speaker: TBD
Logistics Sector Skill Council (MSDE)
Speaker: TBD
Indian Institute of Technology, BHU, Varanasi
Speaker: TBD
Central Institute of Fisheries Technology, Kochi
Speaker: TBD
AMNS India Hazira
Speaker: TBD
ISWAN
Speaker: TBD
Indian National Shipowners' Association (INSA)
Speaker: TBD
Location
Venue
Gujarat Maritime University
Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India
Travel Information
Details to follow
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, Ahmedabad (~25 km)
Gandhinagar Capital / Ahmedabad Junction railway stations
Leadership
Patron
Chief Patron
Prof. (Dr.) S. Shanthakumar
Gujarat Maritime University (GMU), Gandhinagar, Gujarat
Chief Patron
Shri Shyam Jagannathan, IAS
Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA)
Patron
Tanuja Kaushik
Dean, Academic Affairs, Gujarat Maritime University
Get in Touch
Contact & Coordinators
Programme Coordinators
Dr. Chandra Kant Upadhyay
Head — Centre for Maritime Logistics, GMU
Shri Ravi Kumar Moka
Deputy Director General of Maritime Administration (Tech.) — Coastal Shipping Branch
Dr. Abhay Singh
Gujarat Maritime University, Gandhinagar
Jai Kumar
jkumar9@deloitte.com
Ayesha Barudwale
aybarudwale.ext@deloitte.com
Aneena Rose Innocent
aneena.innocent@in.ey.com
Akshay S
akshay.s4@ey.comOrganising Committee Members
Miss Arundhati
Legal Consultant — DGMA
Mr. Nishant
TRA — GMU
Miss Meenakshi Priya
TRA — GMU
Student Volunteers
Rajat Chouhan(Gujarat Maritime University)
MBA Maritime Management
Mr. Sumit(Rotterdam University)
Student Volunteer