<p data-path-to-node="5">The Government of Tamil Nadu, through the <b data-path-to-node="5" data-index-in-node="59">Tamil Nadu Maritime Board (TNMB)</b>, is advancing the formulation and execution of a comprehensive <b data-path-to-node="5" data-index-in-node="155">State Maritime and Waterways Master Plan</b> aimed at unlocking the commercial potential of its 1,076-kilometre coastline and inland water networks.</p><p data-path-to-node="6">The strategic master plan focuses on transforming non-major minor ports into high-efficiency cargo and industrial gateways, integrating navigable inland waterway channels, and establishing dedicated coastal shipping and passenger cruise circuits aligned with the PM GatiShakti framework and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision.</p><h3 data-path-to-node="8">Key Operational Highlights &amp; Strategic Roadmap</h3><ul data-path-to-node="9"><li><p data-path-to-node="9,0,0"><b data-path-to-node="9,0,0" data-index-in-node="0">Development of Minor Ports &amp; Captive Jetties:</b> The master plan identifies strategic locations along the coastline to develop modern captive jetties, multi-purpose cargo berths, and greenfield non-major ports under Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models to decongest major port gateways.</p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="9,1,0"><b data-path-to-node="9,1,0" data-index-in-node="0">Inland Waterway &amp; Water Metro Networks:</b> TNMB is working in tandem with the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) to operationalize sections of National Waterways including the Buckingham Canal (NW-4) and river networks for cargo movement, urban water-bus connectivity, and backwater transport.</p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="9,2,0"><b data-path-to-node="9,2,0" data-index-in-node="0">Coastal Shipping &amp; Industrial Cluster Linkages:</b> The initiative aims to lower supply chain logistics costs for key manufacturing sectors such as automobiles, textiles, engineering goods, and electronics by shifting domestic freight to coastal sea routes connecting the state's industrial corridors.</p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="9,3,0"><b data-path-to-node="9,3,0" data-index-in-node="0">Green Ports &amp; Tourism Ecosystem:</b> The roadmap incorporates sustainable maritime infrastructure, including shore-to-ship power, renewable energy adoption at maritime facilities, and dedicated infrastructure for coastal cruise circuits, island passenger services, and lighthouse tourism.</p></li></ul>