India, Oct. 26 -- The Government of India has issued a release:
Navigating India's Maritime Path
Across the oceans runs the current of India's economic strength. Nearly 95% of the country's trade by volume and around 70% by value still traverses the nation's maritime routes, highlighting the sea as the lifeblood of India's commerce. From crude oil and coal to electronics, textiles, and agricultural products, the vast majority of imports and exports flow through bustling ports, connecting India to markets around the world.With globalisation deepening supply chain interdependence and India emerging as a major manufacturing and energy hub, the efficiency of ports and shipping directly influences national competitiveness.
In a bold move to position itself as a global maritime powerhouse, India has set sail with the Maritime India Vision 2030 (MIV 2030), a transformative roadmap launched in 2021.With over 150 strategic initiatives,the vision seeks to modernise ports, expand shipping capacity, and strengthen inland waterways, while embedding sustainability and skill development at its core. More than a blueprint for cargo movement, MIV 2030 is a catalyst for trade, investment, and employment, charting India's course toward economic growth and global competitiveness.
Central Themes of MIV 2030
The Maritime India Vision 2030 identifies ten pivotal themes that will shape India's journey toward becoming a global maritime powerhouse, positioning the nation at the forefront of the international landscape.
Charting a Decade of Maritime Transformation: 2014 to 2025
Charting a new course for economic growth, India's maritime sector is cruising ahead with record performance across ports, coastal shipping, and inland waterways. The sector's progress underscores its critical role in strengthening the nation.
India's Ports Set New Benchmarks
Indian Shipping Expands Fleet, Capacity, and Workforce
India's Inland Waterways Surge Ahead
Financing the Waves: Support & Innovation
The MIV 2030 projects a total investment of INR 3-3.5 lakh crore across ports, shipping, and inland waterways.Backed by a recent landmark package of Rs.69,725 crore to boost shipbuilding and revitalise the maritime ecosystem,India is charting a strategic course to leverage its vast coastline to anchor itself firmly on the global maritime map. The targeted allocations and strategic initiatives align seamlessly with the overall vision, translating its projected investments into actionable measures.
Sailing into the Future
India's maritime sector is entering a decisive decade, with new laws, mega projects, and global investment ambitions shaping the Maritime India Vision 2030. With a strong focus on green technologies and digital innovation, India is preparing to not only meet its trade demands but also emerge as a maritime leader. Building onto this foundation is the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, a long-term roadmap for India's maritime resurgence, with investments of nearly Rs.80 lakh crore earmarked for ports, coastal shipping, inland waterways, shipbuilding, and green shipping initiatives. The government is driving sustainable maritime operations by setting up green corridors, introducing green hydrogen bunkering at major ports, and promoting the use of methanol-fueled vessels. Outlining more than 300 actionable initiatives it projects India's rise as one of the world's top maritime and shipbuilding powers by the centenary of independence.
The momentum of this vision has been carried forward through landmark initiatives that are reshaping India's maritime landscape. A historic milestone in this journey was achieved in September 2025 during the "Samudra Se Samriddhi - Transforming India's Maritime Sector" event where 27 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were exchanged, unlocking investment potential of over Rs.66,000 crore and paving the way for more than 1.5 lakh jobs. The agreements spanned port infrastructure, shipping, shipbuilding, sustainable mobility, finance, and heritage, reflecting India's integrated vision for becoming a global maritime and shipbuilding hub.
Notable projects included Greenfield Port at Bahuda in Odisha with 150 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) capacity at an expected investment of around Rs.21,500 crore, Water Metro Project in Patna using electric ferries valued at around Rs.908 crore, and a strategic Vessel Owning Joint Venture Company between Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) and Oil Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) to reduce foreign fleet dependence and boost Indian-built ships. Alongside this, shipbuilding MoUs across five states, major shipyard investments, financing tie-ups, and a Rs.266 crore lighthouse museum at the National Maritime Heritage Complex in Lothal, Gujarat further reinforce India's vision to rank among the world's top shipbuilding nations by 2047.
Under the New Mangalore Port Authority (NMPA), eight significant maritime development projects have been launched recently, including construction of a dedicated cruise gate for international tourists, establishment of a 150-bed multi-speciality hospital under PPP mode with an investment of Rs.107 crore, among others to enhance user experience and operational capacity. These developments exemplify the commitment to creating a future-ready maritime ecosystem that fosters trade, tourism, and economic resilience.
From Vision to Voyage
India is turning its vast coastline into a canvas of possibilities. With Maritime India Vision 2030, the nation is not just building ports, it's building futures, empowering millions with jobs, skills, and sustainable growth. This is India's moment to rise as a global maritime leader, proving that vision, strategy, and determination can turn waves into pathways of prosperity. In shipping lanes that carry the world's oil and cargo, India is determined to secure its place not as a passenger, but as a navigator of the future. The Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 extends this journey further. From green ports and sustainable shipping to smart logistics and cultural heritage projects, India is aligning economic growth with environmental responsibility and global leadership. As the world looks to resilient supply chains and clean energy transitions, India's maritime sector is poised not just to serve national interests, but to shape the very currents of global trade in the decades to come.
References
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
https://shipmin.gov.in/sites/default/files/MoPSW%20achievemnts%20and%20initiatives%20of%20FY%202023-24_0.pdf
https://shipmin.gov.in/sites/default/files/Year%20End%20Review%2C%202024%20%28English%20version%29.pdf
https://shipmin.gov.in/content/maritime-india-vision-2030
https://sagarmala.gov.in/sites/default/files/MIV%202030%20Report.pd
https://imw.org.in/
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PMO
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