PM Modi Charts Bold Maritime Vision at India Maritime Week 2025 in Mumbai

In a powerful address that set the tone for a maritime revolution, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the Maritime Leaders Conclave and chaired the Global Maritime CEO Forum at India Maritime Week 2025, held in Mumbai, Maharashtra. The conclave, attended by over 85 countries, top shipping CEOs, startups, policymakers, and innovators, reflected India's growing stature as a global maritime leader.

India Maritime Week Becomes Global Summit of Influence

Tracing the journey of the event since its inception in 2016, Prime Minister Modi expressed pride that India Maritime Week has transformed into a truly global maritime summit. The participation of representatives from small island developing states (SIDS) further enriched the event, underscoring India's inclusive maritime diplomacy.

The Prime Minister noted the launch of several major projects and Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs), cumulatively worth lakhs of crores of rupees, at the conclave. These, he said, reaffirm international confidence in India's maritime infrastructure, policy environment, and strategic positioning.

Maritime Milestones in 2025: Vizhinjam, Kandla, and JNPT Shine

Highlighting 2025 as a watershed year for the sector, PM Modi spotlighted multiple achievements:

• Vizhinjam Port, India's first deep-water international trans-shipment hub, is now operational. It recently received the world's largest container ship, marking a moment of national pride.

• Kandla Port has launched India's first megawatt-scale indigenous green hydrogen facility, furthering the nation's green shipping goals.

• Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) has inaugurated Phase 2 of the Bharat Mumbai Container Terminal, doubling its container handling capacity and making it India's largest container port—powered by the largest foreign direct investment (FDI) in India's port infrastructure, with special gratitude expressed towards Singapore.

Transformative Legislation and Governance Reforms

Shri Modi elaborated on next-generation legislative reforms that are reshaping India's maritime governance:

• Repeal of colonial-era shipping laws, replaced by modern frameworks

• Empowerment of State Maritime Boards

• Digitization initiatives via the "One Nation, One Port" process, aimed at simplifying documentation and standardizing port operations

• Alignment of Indian laws with global maritime conventions under the Merchant Shipping Act, enhancing ease of doing business and safety compliance

The Coastal Shipping Act, designed to boost trade and secure coastal supply chains, also ensures equitable development along India's 7,500+ km coastline.

Decade of Reforms Under Maritime India Vision

Over the past decade, India's maritime sector has witnessed a historic transformation:

• Capacity of major ports nearly doubled

• Turnaround time reduced significantly

• Cruise tourism given a strategic push

• Cargo movement on inland waterways surged 700%, with operational waterways increasing from 3 to 32

• Net annual surplus of ports rose ninefold

These outcomes stem from over 150 initiatives under the Maritime India Vision, which is reshaping India's coastal and port infrastructure.

India Among Global Maritime Leaders

India's performance now rivals developed countries:

• Average container dwell time is under 3 days, better than many advanced economies

• Vessel turnaround time halved from 96 to 48 hours

• India has climbed the ranks in the World Bank Logistics Performance Index

• Number of Indian seafarers tripled from 1.25 lakh to over 3 lakh, making India a top-3 global source of maritime manpower

₹70,000 Crore Push to Revive Shipbuilding Legacy

Recognizing India's ancient shipbuilding heritage, PM Modi announced a ₹70,000 crore investment to:

• Grant infrastructure asset status to large ships

• Promote greenfield and brownfield shipyards

• Enhance long-term financing access for shipbuilders

• Build advanced maritime skills

• Generate millions of jobs

The move aligns with the government's commitment to "Make In India, Make For The World" and will reinstate India as a global leader in ship manufacturing.

Vadhavan Port and Global Trade Corridors

The Prime Minister also announced the development of a new mega port in Vadhavan, Maharashtra, at a cost of ₹76,000 crore. It will be among the world's largest ports, further boosting India's share in containerized cargo and strengthening its role in global supply chains.

He cited the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) as an example of India's future-forward vision, promising clean energy pathways, smart logistics, and new trade routes.

Call to Global Maritime Community: Invest in India

India currently allows 100% FDI in the ports and shipping sector. PM Modi invited global stakeholders to capitalize on:

• Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs)

• Ease of doing business reforms

• Policy incentives for shipbuilding and logistics

• State-level initiatives encouraging investments

The Prime Minister stressed that India is the lighthouse of stability in an era of global turbulence, offering strategic autonomy, policy reliability, and inclusive growth.

India's Vision for a Sustainable Blue Economy

PM Modi underlined the importance of sustainable coastal development, green logistics, and support for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Least Developed Countries (LDCs) through:

• Technology sharing

• Maritime training

• Infrastructure support

He called for collective action to address:

• Climate change

• Maritime security

• Supply chain disruptions

A Tribute to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's Maritime Legacy

Closing his address with a tribute to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, India's legendary maritime strategist, PM Modi said that India today marches ahead with the same spirit: "The seas are not barriers, but gateways of opportunity."

Dignitaries in Attendance

The event was also graced by:

• Shri Acharya Devvrat, Governor of Maharashtra

• Shri Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Minister of Maharashtra

• Union Ministers Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, Shri Shantanu Thakur, and Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh

• Senior government officials, maritime CEOs, and global delegates