Bhubaneswar: Shri Gokulananda Mallik, Minister, Fisheries and Animal Resources Development and MSME, addressed a multi-stakeholder workshop today focused on building a safe and sustainable ocean economy.
Held at the Utkal Chamber of Commerce and Industry Limited(UCCIL), the event was organized by Ocean Centres India, an initiative supported by the United Nations Global Compact and the Lloyd’s Register Foundation.
UCCIL President Dr.Prabodh Kumar Mohanty welcomed Honorable Minister Shri Mallik and presented a warm welcome with a flower bouquet
Dr. Prabodh Mohanty, President UCCIL Chaired the meeting. Dr. Sanjeev Mahapatra, Secretary, Utkal Chamber of Commerce & Industry; Shri Ratnesh, Executive Director, United Nations Global Compact, India; Dr. Ravi Raj Atrey, Country Lead, Ocean Centres India; Shri Tara Ranjan Patnaik, CMD, Falcon Marine Exports Ltd.; Shri Anapu Srinivasa Prasad, Engineer & Ship Surveyor-cum Dy. Director General, Directorate General of Shipping; Shri Santosh Kumar Mohapatra, Former Chairman, Paradip Port Authority graced the occasion.
The Minister highlighted Odisha’s emergence as a major industrial gateway and the MSME Gateway of Eastern India, noting that the state currently leads the country with infrastructure investment at 6.1 percent of its GDP. He shared that India’s marine fish production has grown significantly, reaching 44.95 lakh tonnes in 2023-24, while maintaining a carbon footprint lower than the global average.
A central theme of the address was the state’s commitment to decarbonization and the “Green Maritime Revolution.” Minister Mallik announced that Paradip Port has been officially recognized by the Government of India as a Green Hydrogen Hub under the National Green Hydrogen Mission. He detailed plans to develop an integrated ecosystem for green hydrogen production and export, which will eventually fuel a new generation of green vessels.
The Minister outlined several state-level initiatives aimed at sustainability:
- Transitioning 16 lakh fisherfolk from traditional fuels to electric and solar-powered fishing vessels.
- Implementing the Odisha Maritime Perspective Plan 2050, which targets increasing renewable energy use in port operations to over 60 percent by 2030.
- Launching the Odisha Inland Vessel Rules, 2025, to encourage cleaner cargo movement through river systems to reduce road congestion.
- Promoting the MSME sector to manufacture high-efficiency marine engines and solar components to create green jobs.
Minister Shri Mallik concluded by offering recommendations to Ocean Centres India, suggesting they serve as a bridge between global standards and local needs.
He urged the organization to help local small businesses access Blue Finance and to develop solutions that improve safety and productivity for the state’s lakhs of fisherfolk and seafarers. These efforts, he noted, are essential for Odisha to contribute to the national goals of Maritime India Vision 2030 and Viksit Bharat 2047.