Ports & Shipping Current Affairs for UPSC (GS Paper III)

October 2026

• 06 Oct 2026

  First international cargo vessel leaves Assam since 1947

  For the first time since India's independence in 1947, an international cargo vessel has departed from Dibrugarh in eastern Assam. This development aims to revitalize the historical Brahmaputra river waterways, enhancing trade and...

September 2026

• 15 Sep 2026

  Underwater survey ordered for sunken cargo ship off Kerala coast

  The Centre informed the Kerala High Court that an extensive underwater survey will be conducted to assess long-term ecological and coastal damage caused by the sinking of the Liberian-flagged vessel MSC Elsa 3. The ship sank off the...

August 2026

• 18 Aug 2026

  Rising Maritime Risks for Seafarers in Critical Chokepoints

  Indian maritime unions raised concerns over crew safety as shipowners pressure sailors to navigate high-risk areas like the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait despite growing security threats. Recent drone and missile attacks...

• 01 Aug 2026

  Launch of Bharat Maritime Insurance Pool

  The Finance Ministry has launched the Protection and Indemnity (P&I) insurance product under the Bharat Maritime Insurance Pool. This indigenous product aims to provide liability cover for Indian ship owners, reducing dependence on...

July 2026

• 31 Jul 2026

  India Launches Native Protection and Indemnity Marine Insurance Pool

  The Ministry of Finance has launched a Protection and Indemnity (P&I) insurance product under the newly created Bharat Maritime Insurance Pool. The first policy was issued to the Shipping Corporation of India, aimed at reducing the...

• 25 Jul 2026

  Brent Crude Crosses 100 Dollars per Barrel Amid West Asia Tensions

  Global crude oil prices briefly surpassed 100 dollars per barrel following a Houthi attack on Saudi Arabian oil tankers, stressing India's primary crude shipping routes. In response to strategic supply vulnerabilities, India is planning...

• 24 Jul 2026

  East Asia Summit: S. Jaishankar Stresses Unimpeded Waterways

  External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar emphasised that international waterways must remain safe and unimpeded during his address at the East Asia Summit. He stated that attacks on seafarers, civilian shipping, and maritime...

• 24 Jul 2026

  India Plans Phase-2 of Strategic Petroleum Reserves

  India is planning to initiate Phase-2 of its Strategic Petroleum Reserves (SPR) program under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model, estimated to cost Rs 14,527 crore. This initiative builds on Phase-I, which established a...

• 22 Jul 2026

  US-Iran Geopolitical Conflict Casts Shadow Over Chabahar Port

  Escalating military tensions and exchange of strikes between the United States and Iran have thrown India's strategic investment plans for Iran's Chabahar Port into deep uncertainty. Recent hostile actions in the Strait of Hormuz and...

• 21 Jul 2026

  Death of Indian Seafarers off Odessa Sparks Maritime Safety Concerns

  Four Indian seafarers were killed in a missile strike on a commercial vessel leaving Ukraine's Odessa Port, prompting a strong condemnation from India's Ministry of External Affairs. The government reiterated its firm opposition to...

• 17 Jul 2026

  High-seas fishing hurdles for Kerala fishers

  The Union government is issuing Letters of Authorisation (LoA) for Indian fishermen to operate in international waters, but domestic fishers face major infrastructure gaps. High costs of modernising deep-sea vessels, lack of skilled...

• 17 Jul 2026

  BIMSTEC gears up for its 30th anniversary

  The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) is receiving renewed focus as it approaches its 30th anniversary. Established in 1997, the seven-member regional bloc bridges South and...

• 13 Jul 2026

  Shipping shocks prompt India to launch container manufacturing scheme

  The Union Budget 2026-27 introduced a 10,000 crore rupees scheme for container manufacturing to shield exporters from global maritime disruptions. The first container under this initiative, built by the DCM Shriram Group, has been...

• 12 Jul 2026

  India-Made EXIM Containers Rolled Out Under Manufacturing Scheme

  In a major boost to domestic manufacturing, the first Made in India export-import (EXIM) container, built by DCM Shriram Group, was unveiled at Dadri for global shipping giant Maersk. This marks the first major milestone of the 10,000...

• 10 Jul 2026

  India adds 52.5 million tonnes of LNG regasification capacity

  According to the International Gas Union (IGU) World LNG Report, India added 52.5 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) of regasification capacity in 2025. This capacity addition is driven by rising demand in fertilizer production, city gas...

• 09 Jul 2026

  Strategic Push to Develop Landmark Indira Point Lighthouse

  The Central government has announced plans to protect and upgrade the iconic lighthouse at Indira Point, the southernmost tip of India located on Great Nicobar Island, to turn it into a major tourism hub. This initiative aligns with...

• 07 Jul 2026

  India Mandates Yoga-Based Wellness Training for All Merchant Seafarers

  The Government of India has made it mandatory for all Indian seafarers holding a valid Continuous Discharge Certificate (CDC) to complete yoga-based wellness training within one year. Additionally, all maritime students enrolled in...

• 04 Jul 2026

  Financial and Concessionaire Friction Over Vizhinjam Port Agreement

  The Kerala state government is raising policy concerns regarding the financial yield and operational clauses in the Vizhinjam Port agreement signed with Adani Ports. The concession agreement, executed on a...