Karnataka Maritime Board will soon float tenders for privatising four berths across existing non-major ports in the southern state.
The agency tasked with developing the state’s maritime sector will also develop seven islands under the public-private-partnership (PPP) mode, a firstof-its-kind initiative aimed at constructing premier island resorts.
Further, the state is poised to sign MoUs and definitive agreements worth ₹5,000 crore at the India Maritime Week, marking a significant milestone in maritime development plans.
Karnataka is also in the advanced stages of planning greenfield port proposals and inland waterways (IWT) projects.
“India Maritime Week (IMW) 2025 is poised to serve as a premier platform for the exchange of ideas, enabling technological transfers and driving PPP investments in the maritime sector. It is not just a showcase, but a springboard for transformative collaborations,” said Brandon Almeida, Chief Business Officer, Black Brix, the knowledge partner for several State Maritime Boards and major ports.
Almeida emphasised the role of knowledge partnerships in aligning state-level maritime ambitions with global best practices, noting that platforms like IMW are instrumental in bridging policy gaps, fostering innovation, and securing capital – all of which are critical to fulfill India’s ambition to become a maritime superpower by 2047.
Karnataka’s bold PPP-led strategy exemplifies the kind of forward-thinking leadership that IMW seeks to amplify. With ₹5,000 crore worth of projects in the pipeline and a diversified portfolio of assets on offer, the state is well-positioned to attract global interest and catalyse regional development, added Almeida.
Karnataka will host its dedicated session at the IMW on October 28, under the theme ‘Exploring PPP Synergies for a Sustainable Blue Economy”.
