Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Vizhinjam port, a ₹8,900 crore project, emphasizing its role in enhancing India’s maritime security. He highlighted the port as a catalyst for regional development, boosting trade and economic growth, while creating employment opportunities and improving logistics efficiency for larger cargo ships in global trade.
The Indian government has eliminated the Rs 40 crore cap on financial assistance for non-specialized shipbuilding, maintaining a 14% aid rate until March 2026. This change supports local shipbuilders amid rising global costs, fostering high-value projects and job creation, while extending delivery deadlines for multi-vessel contracts.
The Odisha government is set to launch the Dhamara-Talachua Ro-Pax ferry service on National Waterway No. 5, greatly enhancing inland connectivity. This initiative will reduce travel distance from 200 km by road to just 7 km by river, benefiting trade, tourism, and regional access with the new vessel, M.V. Bhupen Hazarika.
India’s coastline has been officially recalculated from 7,561 km to 11,098.81 km, marking an increase of nearly 50%. This change, driven by a new calculation methodology, incorporates previously overlooked offshore islands and islets. The updated measurement has been endorsed by coastal states and Union Territories, enhancing India’s geographical data accuracy.
The ambitious Yamuna waterway project aims to boost connectivity and eco-friendly tourism between Gokul and Vrindavan. Solar-powered boats will soon operate on a 22-kilometer route, featuring eight jetties. With oversight from the IWAI and a budget of ₹28.35 crore, this initiative promises a cleaner travel option for visitors.
Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal’s recent visit to the Netherlands established a green and digital corridor linking the Port of Rotterdam with Indian ports. This initiative targets green hydrogen exports to Europe, enhancing collaboration in digitalization, green shipping, and logistics optimization to bolster bilateral trade and support India’s Maritime Vision 2030.
The Maharashtra State Cabinet has approved a pioneering policy to boost shipbuilding, repair, and recycling, making it India’s first comprehensive maritime framework. With targets of ₹6,600 crore in investments and 40,000 jobs by 2030, the initiative aims to position Maharashtra as a key hub in the maritime industry.
A delegation from the Indian Coast Guard, led by Vice Admiral S. Paramesh, visited the Maritime Security Centre in Muscat. The visit aimed to enhance cooperation between the two organizations, featuring briefings on the MSC’s roles in maritime safety and a tour of advanced equipment used for national security efforts.
The DEENDAYAL Port Authority (DPA) achieved a milestone by docking the Cape Schiff MV Golden Barnet at Cargo Jetty No. 6 on April 26, 2025. The vessel, measuring 292 meters, carried 96,587 MT, marking the first handling of such a large ship since a similar docking four years ago.
CMA CGM celebrated the arrival of its first Indian-flagged containership, CMA CGM Vitoria, at Nhava Sheva on April 28, 2025. Attended by Minister Shantanu Thakur, this milestone underscores the Group’s commitment to India, enhancing trade connections with a capacity of 2,592 TEU within the BIGEX Network.
The Union Cabinet is poised to approve a ₹25,000 crore Maritime Development Fund (MDF) to boost India’s shipping sector. Proposed by the Ministry of Shipping, this fund aims to finance ship acquisitions and increase the share of Indian-flagged vessels in global freight to 20% by 2047, enhancing maritime security.
Netincon Marketing Pvt Ltd, a subsidiary of Kolkata’s Ripley Group, secured India’s first electric green tug tender with a bid of ₹6,30,000 per day, undercutting the reserve price. Collaborating with Mandovi Drydocks, they will hire the tug for 15 years, aligning with the Ministry’s Green Tug Transition Programme to promote sustainability.
CMA CGM Group has officially transferred the CMA CGM Vitoria to the Indian registry, supporting India’s international shipping ambitions. This move requires an Indian crew and classification, aligning with India’s goals to enhance shipping operations and expand its shipbuilding industry. CMA CGM plans to register more vessels in India soon.
The Directorate General of Shipping and the Company of Master Mariners of India have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to enhance maritime documentation. This collaboration will improve casualty data validation and reporting, fostering transparency and better decision-making in the maritime sector, ultimately raising operational standards in India.
Maharashtra Ports Minister Nitesh Rane announced that Mumbai will seek a detailed project report (DPR) for a water metro, inspired by Kochi’s successful model. Expected by month’s end, the project aims to relieve road congestion and enhance urban transport with battery-powered ferries, connecting key areas and boosting local tourism.
