MUMBAI: The Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB) organised a high-level “Stakeholder Meet | Ports and Shipyards Development in Gujarat” on 19 August 2026 at Taj Santacruz, Mumbai, bringing together leading investors, maritime industry leaders, port operators, shipbuilders, financial institutions, developers and other key stakeholders to showcase emerging investment opportunities across Gujarat’s maritime sector.
The stakeholder meet was organised as part of Gujarat’s broader vision of strengthening its position as a global maritime powerhouse and expanding its port capacity to 3,000 MMTPA and beyond by 2047.
The stakeholder meet aimed to reaffirm Gujarat’s commitment to strengthening its maritime ecosystem through strategic investments and industry partnerships across ports and shipbuilding, while creating new opportunities for private sector participation and contributing to the state’s emergence as a leading global maritime and logistics hub.
The event witnessed participation of about 200 stakeholders from across the maritime sector, along with representatives of more than 15 international organisations. International participation included the Consuls General of Indonesia, Italy and Norway, as well as senior representatives from Singapore, the Port of Rotterdam and the Republic of Korea. This strong international presence reflected the growing global interest in Gujarat’s maritime ecosystem and port-led development opportunities, further underscoring the State’s increasing prominence as a preferred destination for maritime investment and collaboration.
During the meet, GMB presented its roadmap for substantial capacity expansion through new greenfield ports and opportunities in the Shipbuilding and Marine Manufacturing across various locations in Gujarat.
A key highlight of the event was the presentation of Expression of Interest (EOI)-based investment opportunities, covering six identified greenfield port opportunities and four shipbuilding yard opportunities, including the proposed Mega Shipbuilding Cluster at Kuchadi. The initiatives were aimed at attracting private sector participation and long-term investments in Gujarat’s port, shipbuilding, ship repair and marine manufacturing ecosystem.
The inaugural session featured an address by Dr. Ajay Kumar, IAS, Vice Chairman & CEO, Gujarat Maritime Board, on Gujarat’s maritime growth story and the next phase of maritime expansion. Shri Hareet Shukla, IAS, Principal Secretary, Ports & Transport Department, Government of Gujarat, spoke on policy continuity, investor confidence and Gujarat’s PPP-led maritime development model, while Shri Shyam Jagannathan, IAS, Director General of Shipping, also addressed the gathering validating the opportunities and potential in the sector.
The first thematic session, “Investing in Gujarat’s Next Generation Ports,” focused on greenfield port opportunities, the shipbuilding ecosystem and related infrastructure opportunities. The session was moderated by Shri Mihir G Shah, Partner/Principal and National Leader (Transport), GPS, EY, and featured senior industry leaders including Shri Shashi Kiran Shetty, Chairman, Allcargo Group; Shri Dhruv Kotak, Managing Director, JM Baxi Group; Shri Clint Carmichael, COO, Gujarat Pipavav Port Limited (APM Terminals); and Shri Jibu Kurien Itty, CEO – Ports & Terminals, Nava Sheva, DP World India.
The second thematic session, “Investing in Gujarat’s Emerging Shipbuilding & Marine Manufacturing Ecosystem,” deliberated on opportunities in shipbuilding and marine manufacturing. The panel comprised Shri Rajat Goyal, Principal Investment Officer – Maritime Investment Fund, SBI Ventures; Dr. Harikrishnan S, Director (Shipbuilding), Cochin Shipyard Limited; Rear Admiral Vipin Kumar Saxena (Retd.), CEO, Swan Defense and Heavy Industries Limited; and Cmde PR Hari, IN (Retd.), Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Limited, with Shri Mihir G Shah as moderator who is the partner at the EY LLP.
The event also provided an opportunity for prospective investors and industry stakeholders to engage in open-house interactions, share their views, suggestions and feedback on the opportunities presented under the EOI. The programme concluded with networking and dedicated B2G and investor interaction meetings, providing prospective investors an opportunity to seek further information and engage directly with GMB and relevant stakeholders regarding the identified investment opportunities.
