Sarbananda Sonowal: Strong investment commitments signal trust in India’s Maritime Future
MUMBAI : Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Shri Sarbananda Sonowal has hailed the record Rs 12 lakh crore investment commitments at the India Maritime Week 2025 as a landmark achievement, saying that it reflects international confidence in India’s maritime resurgence.
According to the minister, the MoUs that have been signed during the IMW 2025, cover a wide spectrum of collaborations across port development, sustainability, shipbuilding, port-led industrialisation, and trade facilitation.
“The signing of over 600 MoUs demonstrates the unprecedented global confidence in India’s maritime potential,” he said.
Of the total investment value, approximately 30 per cent is directed toward port development and modernisation, 20 per cent for sustainability, another 20 per cent for shipping and shipbuilding, 20 per cent for port-led industrialisation, and the remaining 10 per cent for trade and business knowledge partnerships.
A surge of 41% surge from GMIS 2023 (Global Maritime Summit India) underscores India’s growing leadership in sustainable port-led development and its emergence as a key driver of the global blue economy,” Sonowal said, adding that, “it is the direct result of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s visionary leadership, which has transformed India’s maritime sector into a beacon of global confidence and opportunity.”
The investment commitments during the GMIS 2023 were to the tune of Rs 8.5 lakh crore.
Sonowal shared that PM Modi has dedicated a set of transformative maritime initiatives to the nation, marking a major milestone in the country’s journey towards becoming a global leader in the maritime sector under the ‘Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision (MAKV),’ 2047.
He has said that PM had addressed the ‘Maritime Leaders Conclave’ and the ‘Global Maritime CEO Forum’, bringing together global maritime visionaries, industry leaders, and policymakers to chart the course for a sustainable and future-ready maritime ecosystem.
According to the Union Minister, the global maritime CEO forum brought together an impressive lineup of industry leaders, representing some of the world’s foremost maritime corporations.
In-depth discussions were held regarding sustainable maritime growth, resilient global supply chains, and green shipping initiatives, he added.
“All participating CEOs commended the Government of India’s transformative policy reforms and pledged to deepen collaboration through new investments, technology partnerships, and joint innovation initiatives in the Indian maritime sector,” the minister has said.
With participation from more than 85 countries and 400+ exhibitors, including industry leaders from leading maritime nations, it underscores the event’s growing stature as a global platform for collaboration and innovation, he added.
Delegations and companies from Sweden, Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, the UAE, Norway, Denmark, Singapore, Finland, the United Kingdom, France, and Japan showcased cutting-edge technologies and sustainable maritime solutions during the IMW.