India Maritime Week 2025 — Mumbai emerges as the global capital of shipping dialogue and investment
Maritime News, Mumbai, India : Against a backdrop of shifting global supply chains and rising geopolitical uncertainties, Prime Minister Narendra Modi invoked a powerful maritime metaphor on Wednesday —
“When the global seas are rough, the world looks for a steady lighthouse — India is well poised to play that role.”
Addressing heads of state, ministers, global shipping giants and top CEOs at the Global Maritime Leaders Conclave, the Prime Minister outlined India’s ambition to become:
✅ A global hub for maritime logistics
✅ A leader in clean shipping technologies
✅ A trusted partner for secure and sustainable trade
India, he said, is preparing not just to participate in maritime growth but to shape the future of ocean-based economies.
🇮🇳 India: The Anchor of Global Economic Stability
PM Modi stated that nearly 50% of India’s GDP is linked to the external sector — shipping remains the lifeline of trade, energy supply and industrial growth.
“We do not see oceans as obstacles — they are gateways to prosperity.”
He highlighted India’s unique positioning at the crossroads of the Indo-Pacific and the Global South — bridging economies from Africa to East Asia to the Middle East and Europe.
India today handles:
- 95% of its trade volume by sea
- 70% of its trade value via maritime routes
And — crucially —
only 20% is carried by Indian-owned/flagged ships, a challenge the PM said India will reverse through financial reforms, cargo aggregation programs and fleet ownership incentives.
🚢 India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor: The New Age Spice Route
The PM called IMEEC “a transformational initiative in secure, green, digitally managed trade”.
The corridor promises:
✅ Reduced cargo time
✅ Diversified routes away from high-risk chokepoints
✅ Integration of green hydrogen, digital trade and EV supply chains
Analysts see this as India’s biggest maritime diplomacy leap since independence.
✅ 100% FDI + Global Capital Welcome in the Blue Economy
The PM sent a clear message to global investors:
“This is the right moment to invest in India’s ports and shipping. Our policy is—Make in India, Make for the World.”
He emphasized:
- Full FDI permitted in ports and maritime logistics
- PPP as the preferred model
- States competing for port-led industrialization zones
Several CEOs from top maritime conglomerates confirmed interest in Indian shipyards, bunkering hubs, and inland terminals.
🌊 Inclusive Maritime Development: Support to Island and LDC Nations
PM Modi stressed that maritime progress must lift all economies, not benefit only the strongest:
“Small Island Developing States and Least Developed Countries must be empowered — through technology, training and resilient infrastructure.”
India committed to:
• More maritime scholarships
• NAVIC navigation support
• Coastal safety coordination
• Climate-resilient port development in the Global South
♻️ Green Maritime — India’s Commitment to Net Zero by 2070
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal detailed India’s green transformation roadmap:
- 30% emission intensity reduction in maritime by 2030
- 70% reduction by 2047
- Net Zero by 2070
India has designated VOC, Paradip and Deendayal Ports as upcoming Green Hydrogen Hubs.
Other key sustainability initiatives:
• Shore power systems at major ports
• Battery-electric trucks
• IMO-backed Green Shipping Corridors with Singapore & Rotterdam
• Plans for hydrogen/ammonia bunkering
India is also pushing global recognition of climate-affected Small Island States.
⚓ Defence Shipbuilding: First Major PPP Deal Inked
Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders & Swan Defence signed a landmark agreement for Landing Platform Docks for the Indian Navy — a major private participation breakthrough.
Private investment is expected to help:
✅ Expand warship capacity
✅ Speed up delivery timelines
✅ Bring global technology into Indian yards
⚙️ Make in India for Maritime: Industry Ready for Global Demand
Energy Minister Hardeep Singh Puri earlier stated:
- India consumes 5.6 million barrels/day, soon to hit 6 million
- Shipping is central to energy security
- $8 billion spent by PSUs on crude oil chartering could build Indian-owned tankers
He urged speeding up:
✅ New ship leasing rules
✅ Charter reforms
✅ A Maritime Development Fund
✅ Indian fleet acquisition
🛳️ Ports as Economic Engines — $8 Trillion Vision
India aims to become a $30 trillion economy by 2047 — ports are the backbone:
- Port capacity doubled in 10 years
- Turn-around time cut by nearly 50%
- Sagarmala investments exceed ₹5.5 lakh crore
- 106 new waterways notified to boost river logistics
The PM said:
“To become a Viksit Bharat, we must become a Viksit Atmanirbhar Maritime Nation.”
🎯 IMW 2025: Global Participation, Big Deliverables
This year’s edition features:
✅ 1 lakh delegates
✅ 500 exhibitors
✅ 350+ speakers
✅ 100+ countries represented
✅ ₹10 lakh crore MoUs expected
And a new element —
State-led maritime ambition
Maharashtra — under CM Devendra Fadnavis — taking equity in the Vadhvan Port,
Odisha — launching national shipbuilding cluster,
Goa — expanding coastal passenger routes,
Gujarat — maintaining top national cargo share.
🌍 India, The Lighthouse
PM Modi’s closing note resonated with the gathering:
“India is building a maritime future that advances peace, progress and prosperity for all. Our seas are not barriers, but bridges to connect humanity.”
He urged world leaders to embrace shared responsibility in:
• Climate protection
• Maritime safety
• Supply chain stability
• Crisis readiness
India, he said, stands ready to guide global trade from “Sagar” to “Mahasagar”.
Conclusion — A New Chapter in India’s Ocean Story
From the Harappan dockyards of Lothal to the deep-sea green hydrogen hubs of 2047, India is stitching together a maritime revival built on:
✅ Economic competitiveness
✅ Climate commitment
✅ Strategic independence
✅ Global cooperation
India Maritime Week 2025 isn’t just a conference —
It is the launchpad for the world’s next maritime power.
