India's Maritime Order (Indian Economy)
India's Maritime Order (Indian Economy)
Why In News:
India, re-elected to the IMO Council for 2026-27 with the highest vote tally, has been active at the 137th session of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council held in London from 6 to 10 July 2026, even as attacks linked to the Gulf conflict and a spike in piracy off Somalia have put Indian seafarers directly in harm's way.
Source: The Indian Express, Page 10, 22 July 2026, 'Protect seafarers, and the maritime order'; PIB Today, 21 July 2026, 'National Logistics Policy and Maritime Development'.
Threats Facing Seafarers
Conflict zones: Renewed US-Iran tensions after the breakdown of a ceasefire have led to attacks on vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, causing the deaths of Indian seafarers.
Piracy resurgence: The IMO reported a 17 percent rise in piracy and armed robbery incidents at sea between 2024 and 2025, including the hijacking of vessels off Somalia holding dozens of seafarers, some of Indian origin, hostage for months.
India's naval response: The Indian Navy's anti-piracy patrols, including frigates such as INS Trikand, have intervened to foil boarding attempts in the Gulf of Aden, underlining India's role as a net security provider in the Indian Ocean Region.
India's Maritime Development
National Logistics Policy: Aims to reduce logistics costs and improve efficiency, working alongside PM Gati Shakti for multimodal connectivity across roads, rail, ports, and waterways.
Sagarmala Programme: India's flagship port-led development initiative, focusing on port modernisation, port connectivity, port-linked industrialisation, and coastal community development.
Inland waterways: Continued strengthening of inland waterways is intended to boost multimodal connectivity, cut logistics costs, and support export competitiveness.
Key Facts for Prelims
IMO: The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for regulating global shipping and developing a uniform international regulatory framework for the maritime sector.
It serves as the global standard-setting authority to ensure that shipping is safe, secure, efficient, and environmentally sustainable.
The IMO was established in 1948 as the Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organization (IMCO) and was renamed IMO in 1982.
It currently has 176 Member States and 3 Associate Members.
India has been a member since 1959.
Maritime Anti-Piracy law: India's Maritime Anti-Piracy Bill, passed by Parliament, followed the IMO's withdrawal of the Indian Ocean's High Risk Area (HRA) designation from 1 January 2023.
Maritime India Vision: India's long-term roadmap for the maritime sector, aimed at boosting port capacity, coastal shipping, shipbuilding, and inland waterways as part of the Viksit Bharat 2047 goal.