Union Minister for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal on Thursday called on global investors to tap into India’s $1 trillion maritime investment potential, positioning the country as an emerging hub for innovation and sustainable shipping.
Speaking at the Ambassadors’ Roundtable Meet in New Delhi, attended by envoys from 28 countries, Sonowal underlined that the opportunities span across port development, cargo terminal operations, multimodal logistics, maritime services, shipbuilding, ship recycling, ship repair, green hydrogen hubs, and sustainable shipping initiatives. The session was convened to mobilize international cooperation for India Maritime Week (IMW) 2025, scheduled from October 27 to 31 in Mumbai.
Highlighting India’s long-term maritime vision, the minister said that both the Maritime India Vision 2030 and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 are guiding the transformation of the country’s shipping and logistics ecosystem to make it more sustainable, resilient, and globally competitive.
Among the major projects expected to attract significant foreign investment are the Vadhavan Port, Galathea Bay Transshipment Port, Tuna Tekra Terminal, as well as new LNG bunkering and green hydrogen hubs, according to an official release.
“Global players are joining hands with their Indian counterparts in shipbuilding, port modernisation, smart logistics, and green shipping. Technology is at the heart of this progress as AI-driven logistics, digital port operations, and automation are making our ports more efficient and globally competitive,” said Shantanu Thakur, Minister of State for Ports and Shipping, at the event.
India Maritime Week, the ministry’s biennial flagship event, serves as a key platform for policymakers, industry leaders, and investors to deliberate on the future of ports, shipping, and logistics.
In addition to investment prospects, the Centre is pushing forward regulatory reforms to align India’s maritime framework with international standards. Earlier this month, the government enacted five new legislations, the Bills of Lading Act, Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, Merchant Shipping Act, Coastal Shipping Act, and the Indian Ports Act, replacing colonial-era laws and bringing India in sync with global best practices.
With its expanding coastline, growing cargo volumes, and ambitious sustainability targets, India is seeking to establish itself as a maritime powerhouse. Officials noted that the $1 trillion roadmap is designed not only to attract capital but also to foster innovation, green transition, and partnerships that will define the future of the sector. Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal on Thursday called on global investors to tap into India’s $1 trillion maritime investment potential, positioning the country as an emerging hub for innovation and sustainable shipping.
Speaking at the Ambassadors’ Roundtable Meet in New Delhi, attended by envoys from 28 countries, Sonowal underlined that the opportunities span across port development, cargo terminal operations, multimodal logistics, maritime services, shipbuilding, ship recycling, ship repair, green hydrogen hubs, and sustainable shipping initiatives. The session was convened to mobilize international cooperation for India Maritime Week (IMW) 2025, scheduled from October 27 to 31 in Mumbai.
Highlighting India’s long-term maritime vision, the minister said that both the Maritime India Vision 2030 and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 are guiding the transformation of the country’s shipping and logistics ecosystem to make it more sustainable, resilient, and globally competitive.
Among the major projects expected to attract significant foreign investment are the Vadhavan Port, Galathea Bay Transshipment Port, Tuna Tekra Terminal, as well as new LNG bunkering and green hydrogen hubs, according to an official release.
“Global players are joining hands with their Indian counterparts in shipbuilding, port modernisation, smart logistics, and green shipping. Technology is at the heart of this progress as AI-driven logistics, digital port operations, and automation are making our ports more efficient and globally competitive,” said Shantanu Thakur, Minister of State for Ports and Shipping, at the event.
India Maritime Week, the ministry’s biennial flagship event, serves as a key platform for policymakers, industry leaders, and investors to deliberate on the future of ports, shipping, and logistics.
In addition to investment prospects, the Centre is pushing forward regulatory reforms to align India’s maritime framework with international standards. Earlier this month, the government enacted five new legislations, the Bills of Lading Act, Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, Merchant Shipping Act, Coastal Shipping Act, and the Indian Ports Act, replacing colonial-era laws and bringing India in sync with global best practices.
With its expanding coastline, growing cargo volumes, and ambitious sustainability targets, India is seeking to establish itself as a maritime powerhouse. Officials noted that the $1 trillion roadmap is designed not only to attract capital but also to foster innovation, green transition, and partnerships that will define the future of the sector.
