The Directorate General of Shipping actively participated in the Future Kerala Business Conclave 2026 held on 10 May 2026 in Kozhikode, engaging with policymakers, industry leaders, and MSMEs on advancing India’s maritime and shipping ecosystem.
Addressing the conclave as Chief Guest, Shyam Jagannathan, Director General of Shipping, highlighted the strategic importance of the maritime sector to India’s economy, noting that nearly 95% of the country’s trade by volume and 70% by value is facilitated through maritime transport.
In his keynote address, he stressed the need for resilient and adaptable shipping systems amid evolving geopolitical challenges, including the ongoing Middle East crisis. He also underlined the importance of green shipping initiatives, decarbonisation efforts, and strengthening India’s maritime ecosystem to enhance long-term competitiveness and sustainability.
Further reinforcing the maritime focus of the conclave, Pradeep Sudhakaran addressed Session 1 on the “Potential of Blue Economy,” outlining India’s shipbuilding vision and policy roadmap.
His presentation highlighted the scale of opportunities in the global shipbuilding sector and emphasised the need to reduce foreign exchange outflow arising from shipping services. He also elaborated on the Government of India’s initiatives under schemes such as the Shipbuilding Financial Assistance Scheme (SBFAS) and the Shipbuilding and Ship Repair Development Scheme (SBDS), aimed at boosting domestic shipbuilding capacity and improving India’s global competitiveness.
Key discussions during the conclave also focused on the strategic importance of Vizhinjam International Seaport as a transshipment hub, the development of shipbuilding clusters, and the growing emphasis on skilling initiatives and seafarer welfare.
The conclave served as an important platform for aligning Kerala’s regional maritime strengths with India’s broader national maritime priorities, reinforcing the country’s vision of emerging as a globally competitive and sustainable maritime nation.
