India Maritime Week (IMW) 2025

India Maritime Week (IMW) 2025 was held from October 27–31, 2025, at NESCO Exhibition Centre, Mumbai, hosted by the Union Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW). The event, themed “Uniting Oceans, One Maritime Vision,” brought together global stakeholders to deliberate on India’s maritime growth and leadership in the Blue Economy. 

This fourth edition of IMW marked a defining moment in India’s maritime history, reflecting the nation’s intent to become a global maritime hub. 

The maiden edition of IMW was held in 2016 in Mumbai, and it has since evolved into a major international summit connecting over 100 maritime nations and 100,000+ industry professionals, policymakers, and investors.

India Maritime Week 2025: Highlights

• Global Convergence: Platform for collaboration across shipping, ports, shipbuilding, cruise tourism, and blue economy finance.
• High-level participation: Ministers, global maritime organizations, and strategic delegations discussed policy frameworks and cooperation.

Major Forums & Conferences:

• 4th Global Maritime India Summit (GMIS): Focused on reforms, innovation, and investments.
• 2nd Sagarmanthan – The Great Oceans Dialogue: Addressed sustainability and ocean governance.
• 1st QUAD Ports of the Future Partnership Conference: Focused on maritime security, cooperation, and technology.
• UNESCAP Conference: Discussed “Sustainable Maritime Connectivity: Navigating Uncertainty, Advancing 2025.”

PM-Initiated Maritime Reforms under Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047

• Shipbuilding Boost: Oil & Gas PSUs launched 59 shipbuilding orders worth ₹47,800 crore.
• Shipping Corporation of India (SCI): Set a goal of 216 vessels by 2047 with investments of ₹1 lakh crore.
• Green Transition: Strengthening Green Shipbuilding and Green Hydrogen initiatives.

Achievements of India’s Maritime Sector

• Trade Dependence: 95% of India’s trade (by volume) and 70% (by value) moves through maritime routes.
• Port Capacity: Increased from 1,400 MMTPA (2014) to 2,762 MMTPA (2024–25).
• Vessel Turnaround: Reduced from 93 hours (2014) to 48 hours (2025).
• Seafarer Workforce: Increased from 1.25 lakh (2014) to 3 lakh (2025) — 12% of global seafarers.
• Modern Legislative Reforms: Introduction of Merchant Shipping Act 2025, Coastal Shipping Act 2025, and Indian Ports Act 2025 to modernize the maritime framework.

Key Initiatives to Strengthen India’s Maritime Sector

Maritime Security Framework

• Promotes a Free, Open, and Inclusive Indo-Pacific, guided by MAHASAGAR, Act East Policy, and Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS).

Green Tug Transition Programme (GTTP)

• Launched in 2024 to replace diesel-powered tugboats with green, non-fossil fuel alternatives (methanol, ammonia, hydrogen).
• Aims for 100% green vessels by 2047, aligning with Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 and targeting a 30% emission reduction by 2030.

Maritime India Vision (MIV) 2030

• Encompasses 150+ strategic initiatives with ₹3–3.5 lakh crore investment.
• Port capacity doubled; seafarers increased by 200% to 3.2 lakh.
• Focus on port modernization, logistics efficiency, digitalization, and environmental sustainability.
• Identifies 10 key themes to make India a global maritime power.

Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision (MAKV) 2047

• Aims for India to handle one-third of global seaborne trade by 2047 (up from 10% currently).
• Envisions ₹80 lakh crore investment in green corridors, hydrogen bunkering, and sustainable shipping.
• Supported by Sagarmala Programme for port-led development and coastal employment.

India’s Maritime Strength

• 11,000 km coastline, 13 coastal states, and 23.7 lakh sq. km Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
• Coastal states contribute 60% of India’s GDP, supporting 800 million livelihoods.
• India’s maritime policies align with Sagarmala, MIV 2030, MAKV 2047, and MAHASAGAR Vision, balancing economic growth with sustainability.

Vision for Maritime Transformation

India’s maritime growth is based on four strategic pillars:

1. Port-led Development
2. Shipbuilding & Shipping Expansion
3. Seamless Logistics Integration
4. Maritime Skill Development

The goal: To establish India as a leading global maritime and logistics power.

Major Achievements (2024–25)

• Vizhinjam Port: India’s first deep-water international trans-shipment hub became operational.
• Kandla Port: Launched India’s first megawatt-scale indigenous green hydrogen facility.
• JNPT Expansion: Phase 2 of Bharat Mumbai Container Terminal inaugurated — India’s largest FDI in port infra.
• Record Cargo: Major ports handled the highest-ever cargo volumes, boosting global competitiveness.

Next-Generation Reforms in Maritime Governance

• Replacement of outdated colonial-era laws with modern maritime legislation.
• One Nation, One Port Process: Standardized documentation and port procedures.
• Enhanced digitization, ease of doing business, and maritime safety through updated regulatory frameworks.

Efficiency & Global Recognition

• Indian ports now rank among the most efficient globally, surpassing many developed nations.
• Container dwell time: Reduced to under 3 days.
• Vessel turnaround: Cut to 48 hours.
• India’s improved ranking in World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index (LPI) highlights its rising global standing.
• India now among the top three suppliers of global seafarers.

Focus on Blue Economy & Green Growth

• Government’s focus on sustainable coastal development, green logistics, and shipbuilding.
• ₹70,000 crore investment to boost shipyard capacity and greenfield/brownfield projects.
• Large ships granted infrastructure status, reducing financing costs and spurring growth.

Key Facts

• Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW): Established in 2020, headed by Sarbananda Sonowal (as of 2025).
• Sagarmala Programme: Launched in 2015 for port-led development, aiming to reduce logistics costs by up to 25%.
• Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS): Established in 2008 as a regional maritime security dialogue.
• Major Indian Ports: 13 (12 under MoPSW + 1 under trust), including JNPT, Kandla, Chennai, Vizag, Kochi.
• Vizhinjam Port (Kerala): India’s first deep-sea trans-shipment port, developed by Adani Ports.
• Blue Economy: Refers to sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and jobs while preserving marine ecosystems.
• UNESCAP: United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific – promotes regional maritime and trade connectivity.