New Delhi – India’s maritime sector is showing a historic boom, striking record numbers across ports, shipping and inland waterways as it gears up for the India Maritime Week 2025 in Mumbai. The boost comes from the Maritime India Vision 2030 plan, backed by an investment of ₹3‑3.5 lakh crore to modernise ports, expand shipping capacity and fire up inland water transport.
Ports get a makeover
India’s ports have nearly doubled their handling capacity, from 1,400 million tonnes a year (MMTPA) to 2,762 MMTPA. The sector’s financial health has also jumped, with net annual surpluses rising from ₹1,026 crore to ₹9,352 crore and operating costs shrinking from 73 % to 43 %. Cargo volumes have surged from 972 million tonnes to 1,594 million tonnes, and the average time a ship spends in port fell from 93 hours to 48 hours. These gains mean ports are running more efficiently and can compete better on the global stage.
Shipping sees steady growth
The number of Indian‑flagged vessels grew from 1,205 to 1,549, while the fleet’s gross tonnage rose from 10 million to 13.52 million. Coastal shipping nearly doubled its cargo, climbing from 87 million tonnes to 165 million tonnes, proving that low‑cost, eco‑friendly transport on the coast is paying off.
Inland waterway boom
The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) logged a record 146 million tonnes of cargo in 2025, a 710 % rise from just 18 million tonnes in 2014. The network now includes 29 operational waterways, up from 3, and the Haldia Multi‑Modal Terminal has entered a private partnership with IRC Natural Resources after a World Bank‑backed build, adding 3.08 MMTPA of capacity to West Bengal’s logistics chain.
People and financing
India’s seafarer workforce has grown from 125,000 to over 300,000—about 12 % of the world’s crew—and the country ranks among the top three exporter of trained seafarers. The Maritime Development Fund (₹25,000 crore) and new shipbuilding schemes (₹24.7 and ₹20 billion) aim to shore up shipbuilding, support ship‑breaking, and fund greenfield clusters.
India Maritime Week 2025
From October 27‑31, the NESCO Exhibition Centre in Mumbai will host the five‑day India Maritime Week 2025. More than 100 countries are expected to send participants, and the event will feature 500 exhibitors, technology demos, and sessions on port development, shipbuilding, and digital trade corridors. The week promises a platform for stakeholders in shipping, ports and logistics to collaborate and drive India’s maritime future forward.
Source: ianslive
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