Mumbai–Minister of State for Road, Transport, Highways and Shipping M.L. Mandaviya on Friday said the government will consider giving the shipping industry the status of an infrastructure sector to improve its productivity.

Mandaviya also said there was need for the Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) to make special efforts to attract more cargo business from the government sector, which includes various ministries, departments, and PSUs under the central and the state governments.

Mandaviya added that the SCI has to play an important role in ensuring energy security of the country.

“SCI has to play an important role in the energy security of the country and all efforts would be made to further boost the capacity of SCI and the sector in this regard to ensure that national interests are fully safeguarded,” said Mandaviya while reviewing the SCI here.