Key logistics & maritime initiatives – union budget 2026 – 27

Huge infrastructure & capex boost

India’s capital expenditure increased to ₹12.2 lakh crore, underpinning infrastructure and connectivity growth benefiting ports, rail, roads and logistics networks.

Maritime & waterways sector transformations

₹10,000 crore Container Manufacturing Scheme

• New Container Manufacturing Assistance Scheme with ₹10,000 cr over 5 years to build a globally competitive container industry.

• Targets ~1 million TEU annual domestic capacity, reduces dependence on imports, and supports exporters and ports.

• Expected to generate ~3,000 direct jobs + ~50,000 indirect jobs.

National waterways expansion

• 20 new National Waterways to be operationalised over the next 5 years to boost inland water transport and freight movement.

• Inland waterways & coastal shipping targeted to double modal share from ~6 % to ~12 % by 2047.

Coastal cargo promotion scheme

• Aimed at shifting freight from road/rail to coastal shipping and inland waterways — lowering logistics costs and carbon footprint.

Ship repair & skill infrastructure

• New ship-repair hubs announced for Varanasi and Patna to cater to inland water freight fleets.

• Training institutes set up as Regional Centres of Excellence to skill workforce for waterways operations.

Ports, shipping & waterways budget increase

• Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways gets ₹5,164.8 crore, up ~48 % from last year — bolstering operational and development plans.

  
  

Seaplane connectivity push

• Incentives proposed for seaplane manufacturing and operations, including a viability gap funding scheme for remote connectivity and tourism.

  
  

Dedicated freight corridor

• A new Dedicated Freight Corridor proposed linking Dankuni (East) to Surat (West) to accelerate inter-regional freight mobility.

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Why these matter for logistics & maritime:

• Boosts domestic container supply, reducing import reliance and stabilising freight operations.

• Expanded waterways & coastal freight support means cheaper, greener cargo movement.

• More funds and infrastructure capacity will improve port performance, logistics connectivity and trade competitiveness.