India’s maritime sector advancing rapidly, says PM Modi

• Cargo movement on inland waterways has risen by over 700 per cent
• India’s ports’ net annual surplus increased ninefold in a decade
• 150+ initiatives launched under Maritime India Vision
• India now ranks among the top three globally in seafarer numbers

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said India’s maritime sector is advancing with “great speed and energy”, with ports now counted among the most efficient in the developing world.

Speaking at the Maritime Leaders Conclave and Global Maritime CEO Forum during India Maritime Week 2025 in Mumbai, the Prime Minister said the country has replaced century-old colonial shipping laws with modern legislation designed for the 21st century.

“We have replaced over a century-old colonial shipping laws with modern and futuristic laws suited for the 21st century,” Modi said.

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He added that the new laws strengthen the role of state maritime boards, promote digital integration, improve safety standards and reduce government intervention.

Major Growth and Reforms

Modi said the maritime sector has undergone “historic transformation” over the past decade. Under the Maritime India Vision, over 150 initiatives have been implemented, doubling the capacity of major ports and significantly reducing turnaround time.

Cruise tourism has expanded, and the number of operational waterways has increased from three to thirty-two. He said the net annual surplus of ports has grown ninefold, with the average vessel turnaround time halved from ninety-six to forty-eight hours.

“Today, India’s ports are counted among the most efficient in the developing world. In many aspects, they are performing even better than those in the developed world,” the Prime Minister said.

India’s ports now record an average container dwell time of less than three days, better than several developed countries, he noted.

Record Cargo Handling and Green Hydrogen Push

The Prime Minister said 2024–25 has been a landmark year for India’s ports, with major ports handling the highest cargo volumes ever. He pointed out key milestones:

• Vizhinjam Port, India’s first deep-water international trans-shipment hub, is now operational.
• Kandla Port has launched India’s first megawatt-scale indigenous green hydrogen facility.
• JNPT’s Bharat Mumbai Container Terminal (Phase 2) has doubled handling capacity, becoming India’s largest container port.

Modi said these achievements were made possible through large foreign investments, especially from Singapore.

Next-Generation Shipping Laws

The Prime Minister said the new Merchant Shipping Act aligns India’s laws with global conventions, enhancing safety and boosting investor confidence. The Coastal Shipping Act, he added, simplifies trade and strengthens supply chain security.

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A new One Nation, One Port Process will standardise port procedures and reduce documentation, he said, adding that these steps are part of a decade-long reform journey.

Calling shipbuilding one of India’s “top priorities”, Modi said large ships have now been granted infrastructure asset status, which will ease access to financing and reduce interest costs.

He announced an investment of nearly Rs 70,000 crore to boost shipbuilding capacity, support new shipyards, and create millions of jobs. “This initiative will unlock new investment opportunities and strengthen India’s position in the global shipping industry,” he said.

The Prime Minister recalled India’s shipbuilding legacy, noting that ancient art from the Ajanta Caves depicted multi-masted ship designs centuries before similar vessels appeared elsewhere.

Strengthening Global Supply Chains

Modi said India is committed to building world-class mega ports and enhancing resilience in global supply chains. He announced the construction of a new Rs 76,000 crore port at Vadhavan, Maharashtra, and efforts to quadruple port capacity and expand India’s share in containerised cargo.

He invited global investors to take advantage of India’s 100 per cent FDI policy in ports and shipping. “This is the right time to work and expand in India’s shipping sector,” he said.

India as a Steady Lighthouse

Referring to global trade tensions and supply chain disruptions, Modi said India stands as a “steady lighthouse” in turbulent times.

“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,” he said.

He highlighted the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor as an example of India’s commitment to clean energy and smart logistics, and stressed the importance of supporting Small Island Developing States through technology and infrastructure.

Concluding his address, the Prime Minister called for collective action towards “peace, progress and prosperity” and thanked participants from over 85 countries for contributing to India Maritime Week 2025.

Organised from 27–31 October 2025 under the theme “Uniting Oceans, One Maritime Vision”, India Maritime Week 2025 brings together CEOs, policymakers, and innovators from over 85 countries.

The Global Maritime CEO Forum serves as its flagship event, focusing on sustainable maritime growth, resilient supply chains, and the blue economy. The summit supports the government’s Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, built on four pillars — port-led development, shipbuilding, seamless logistics, and maritime skill-building.