6.3. Coastal Shipping

Coastal shipping is energy efficient, environment friendly and economical mode of transport in the Indian transport network and a crucial component for the development of domestic industry and trade. India, with her 7,516 km of coastline, has hinterland of about 3,80,000 sqkms, covering 9 maritime states, apart from Lakshwadeep in the Arabian Sea and Andaman & Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal. The EEZ of India has also seen a huge growth in exploitation of subsea assets. India has a long coastline studded with major and non-major ports providing congenial and favourable conditions for the development of this alternate mode of transport.