The country's Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, has introduced significant reforms in the Indian shipping industry and to facilitate trade through Budget 2024. This budget has been lessening, aiming to reduce the many costs borne by the sector and push it toward growth.

Customs duties on components and consumables for vessel manufacturing have been removed. Sitharaman declared, "Customs duties on components and consumables for vessel manufacturing have been reduced from the present 'as applicable' to 'Nil'. Similarly, the duties on technical documentation and spare parts for warship construction also have been slashed to 'Nil'", These reductions are aimed at paring input costs and encouraging domestic manufacturing.

It also extends the time period for export of goods imported for repairs from six months to one year. The period for re-import of goods for repairs under warranty is being increased from three years to five years. Sitharaman said, "To encourage domestic aviation and boat & ship MRO, I propose to extend the period for export of goods imported for repairs from the present six months to one year. Moreover, the time-limit for re-importing goods for repairs under warranty is being extended from three to five years".
Trade Facilitation
The budget has sought to address the challenge of the inverted duty structure while trying to enhance value addition and export competitiveness. "The reduction in customs duties is aimed at reducing the input costs, promoting export competitiveness, and deepening value addition while addressing the challenge of the inverted duty structure", said Sitharaman.

Alluding to global economic challenges, Sitharaman said, "Even while the performance has been better than expected, there are policy uncertainties, elevated asset prices, political instability and shipping disruptions that characterise the global economy".

The budget also proposes a concessional tax regime for foreign shipping firms with respect to cruise tourism, and aspires to leverage this sector fully to create further jobs.

These reforms will, in course of time, provide a fillip to the Indian shipping industry and facilitate trade efficiency, aligning with the broader goals of economic development outlined in Budget 2024.