India is self-assured for a maritime transformation as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to deliver the keynote address at the Global Maritime CEO Forum during India Maritime Week 2025, scheduled for 27–31 October in Mumbai. This landmark event will unveil nearly ₹1 trillion maritime investment across shipbuilding, port connectivity, eco-logistics, and coastal community development.
A Global Maritime Showcase
Announced by Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, the India Maritime Week 2025 promises participation from over 100 countries and more than 100,000 stakeholders, making it “a historic opportunity to showcase India’s maritime strength to the world.”
This event is more than a confluence of ideas it’s “a confluence of confidence,” Sonowal said, positioning India as a trusted global maritime partner. PM Modi’s leadership, has elevated India to being seen as a rising maritime power, inspiring global investors to engage with India’s growth journey, he added.
Brahmaputra Cruise Ships: A ₹250 Crore Tourism Boost
In a nod to Northeast India’s potential, Sonowal unveiled that two luxury cruise ships are under construction at the Hooghly Cochin Shipyard in Kolkata, backed by a ₹250 crore investment. Scheduled for deployment on the Brahmaputra River by 2027, these vessels are part of the Cruise Bharat Mission, aimed at reviving Assam’s river tourism.
Maritime Ecosystem Transformation: From 2014 to Now
India’s maritime resurgence under PM Modi’s leadership has been nothing short of transformative. Key initiatives like Sagarmala, Maritime India Vision 2030, and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 have driven remarkable progress:
- Port capacity nearly doubled, with cargo handling reaching 1,600 MMT and turnaround time reduced to 22 hours.
- Operational waterways have expanded from 5 in 2014 to 30 today, and inland cargo movement soared from 18 MMT in 2013–14 to 145 MMT.
Green Initiatives & Incentives
Green maritime is another pillar of this evolution. The Harit Sagar policy and Harit Nauka initiative promote clean fuels, renewables, and eco-friendly vessels. Meanwhile, the newly launched Jalvahak Scheme (December 2024) incentivizes cargo transport over 300 km on National Waterways (1, 2, & 16) via the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol, offering up to 35% operational cost reimbursement.
“These programs don’t just move cargo—they move confidence,” Sonowal emphasized, highlighting how scheduled sailings and cost predictability support sustainable logistics.
Northeast Infrastructure: Empowering Regional Growth
The Northeast is central to India’s maritime vision:
- Over ₹1,000 crore invested in inland waterways infrastructure; ₹300 crore completed, rest in progress.
- A ₹239 crore ship repair facility at Pandu—the region’s first—is expected to be ready by 2026.
- A ₹180 crore approach road linking NH-27 to Pandu Port will be operational by September 2025.
- To spark river tourism, ₹299 crore is allocated for new jetties at Guijan, Neamati, Bishwanath Ghat, and Silghat.
- In Dibrugarh, a ₹188 crore Regional Centre of Excellence is underway to train 5,000 maritime professionals, empowering local youth.
Sonowal called the Brahmaputra “not just a river, but our lifeline” and underscored the importance of building cruise terminals, repair yards, and skill hubs to unlock its potential.
Cruise Bharat Mission & Tourism Expansion
Launched in 2024, the Cruise Bharat Mission aims to develop 100 river cruise terminals, 10 sea cruise terminals, and 5 marinas, while doubling passenger numbers by 2029. Currently, 25 river cruise vessels are in operation, including 14 on the Brahmaputra. Sonowal noted that Forbes ranked the Ganga river cruise among the world’s top 10, positioning Assam to emerge as a leading global river cruise destination.
Vision 2047: Expanding India’s Maritime Horizons
India Maritime Week 2025 is poised to catalyze “the decade of maritime resurgence for India.” By 2047, targets includes –
- Handling 10,000 MMT of EXIM cargo and 500 MMT via inland waterways.
- Rising to top-five in global shipbuilding.
- Capturing 20% of the global ship-recycling share.
Stakeholder Call to Action
Speaking at the Water Voyage Northeast 2025 conference in Guwahati, organised by the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) and the Indian Ports Association (IPA), Sonowal urged stakeholders to rally behind this momentum. With over 240 participants, including cruise and cargo operators, the event was a clarion call to engage, collaborate, and join India’s voyage toward a globally competitive, digitally advanced, eco-sustainable, and inclusive maritime future.
In Summary
India Maritime Week 2025, with PM Modi’s keynote, signals a bold leap forward for the maritime sector. From ₹1 trillion investment opportunities and luxury Brahmaputra cruises, to green policies, Northeast infrastructure, and 2030–2047 milestones, India is charting a course to maritime leadership.
Source: Press Information Bureau
