Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday underscored India’s growing role as a global maritime power, urging investors to explore new opportunities in the nation’s shipping and port sectors.
Addressing the Global Maritime CEO Forum, the flagship event of India Maritime Week (IMW) 2025, held in Mumbai, he said that India stands as a ‘steady lighthouse’ amid global tensions, trade disruptions, and shifting supply chains.
“When the global seas are rough, the world looks for a steady lighthouse. India is well poised to play that role with strength and stability,” PM Modi declared, calling this the right and opportune time to invest in India’s maritime growth story.
PM Modi highlighted that the maritime sector has undergone a profound transformation over the past decade, boosting trade, infrastructure, and connectivity.
He said the government inaugurated multiple shipping projects and signed MoUs worth thousands of crores at the event, reflecting the global community’s confidence in India’s maritime capabilities.
“The presence of leading CEOs here is a symbol of our common commitment to the maritime future,” he said.
He added that India’s ports are now counted among the most efficient in the developing world, often performing better than those in advanced economies.
The government has also repealed more than a century-old colonial shipping laws and replaced them with modern, futuristic legislation suited for the 21st century.
These new laws empower State Maritime Boards, prioritise safety and sustainability, and promote digitalisation in port management.
Key Milestones in 2025
Terming 2025 a landmark year for India’s maritime progress, the Prime Minister said that the nation’s first deep-water international transhipment hub—Vizhinjam Port—became operational this year.
He added that the world’s largest container vessel recently docked there, showcasing India’s global capabilities.
During the fiscal year 2024–2025, India’s major ports achieved record-breaking cargo throughput, setting new benchmarks in efficiency.
At the same time, Kandla Port made history by launching India’s first megawatt-scale indigenous green hydrogen facility, marking a major step towards sustainability.
PM Modi emphasised that India is accelerating efforts in shipbuilding, with large vessels now classified as infrastructure assets. He stated that the government is pursuing next-generation reforms to strengthen the shipbuilding and shipping ecosystem.
He further noted India’s remarkable progress in maritime human resource development, revealing that the number of Indian seafarers has grown from 1.25 lakh to over 3 lakh in the past decade.
“Today, India ranks among the top three nations in the world in terms of seafarers,” he said.
Maritime Vision for the Future
The government has launched more than 150 initiatives under the Maritime India Vision to enhance efficiency, capacity, and innovation across ports.
The capacity of major ports has doubled, and turnaround times have reduced significantly.
PM Modi also pointed out that cruise tourism and inland waterways have experienced exceptional growth, with cargo movement rising by over 700 per cent and the number of operational waterways expanding from just three to 32.
“The net annual surplus of India’s ports has increased ninefold in the last decade,” he added, affirming that India’s maritime sector now stands as a beacon of opportunity, sustainability, and prosperity for the world.
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