India Maritime Week 2025 witnessed investment commitments worth ₹12 lakh crore, underscoring the sector’s growing role in the nation’s economic and industrial ambitions. Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, announced that nearly 20% of these investments are directed toward shipbuilding — a sector India aims to position among the top five globally by 2047.
Of the total pledges, around ₹5.5 lakh crore worth of projects have already been grounded. The minister highlighted that shipping remains the “backbone of India’s foreign trade,” carrying nearly 90% of the country’s export-import cargo by volume and about 70% by value — a reflection of its critical role in sustaining India’s trade flows and global supply chain connectivity.
The MoUs signed during the week span diverse areas including port development, sustainability, shipbuilding, port-led industrialisation, and trade facilitation. Investment distribution includes 30% for port development and modernisation, 20% each for sustainability, shipbuilding, and port-led industrialisation, and the remaining 10% for trade and knowledge partnerships.
Among major announcements, DP World unveiled $5 billion in investments toward advancing green coastal and short-sea shipping, developing an international ship repair facility in Kochi, and collaborating with Deendayal Port Authority on a 750-metre MagRail Booster pilot project.
Cochin Shipyard signed eight key agreements, including with CMA CGM for LNG dual-fuel vessels and the Dredging Corporation of India for dredger construction. Swan Defence and Heavy Industries partnered with Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders for naval shipbuilding, while Adani Ports and the Odisha Maritime Board announced initiatives in tug and cluster development.
Adding momentum to the shipbuilding push, oil and gas PSUs also placed 59 shipbuilding orders valued at ₹47,800 crore, signalling strong domestic demand and capacity growth within the sector.
The event marks a major stride in India’s maritime transformation, reinforcing its commitment to sustainable growth, industrial collaboration, and global competitiveness in the blue economy.
