Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a “historic reform” by designating large ships as infrastructure, aiming to boost financing and competitiveness for Indian shipping. He introduced initiatives worth ₹70,000 crore to modernize shipyards and improve standards, emphasizing self-reliance with the mantra “Chips or ships, made in India.”
On September 20, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Gujarat to review the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) in Lothal, with a budget of ₹4,500 crore. The complex aims to preserve India’s maritime traditions while boosting tourism and education. Modi also launched projects worth ₹34,200 crore, enhancing regional infrastructure.
Protection and Indemnity (P&I) insurance claims have reached a ten-year high, with net claims rising 25% to $3.1 billion. Emerging risks, inflation, and disruptions from conflicts have heightened financial pressures. Despite premium increases, total income remained flat, prompting projections for further rises in premiums amid ongoing challenges for shipowners.
Dr. M. Angamuthu, IAS, Chairperson of the Visakhapatnam Port Authority, urged Andhra Pradesh’s maritime community to engage in India Maritime Week 2025 during the PORTCON-2025 roadshow. He emphasized the event as a vital platform to enhance the state’s maritime sector and align with Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s Swarnandhra vision.
Twenty apprentices from the Grand Bahamas Shipyard have traveled over 4,000 miles to The Engineering College in Birkenhead, England, to enhance their marine engineering skills. This 18-week program, in partnership with Cammell Laird, equips them for future work on cruise ships and tankers, marking a transformative step in their careers.
On September 18, the Turkish Coast Guard successfully rescued seven crew members from the grounded cargo ship Rapid off the Kocaeli coast. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. The vessel, carrying gypsum to Ukraine, was pushed ashore by severe weather. Salvage operations will resume once conditions improve.
Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK) recently completed a pilot project with Singapore’s Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation (GCMD) to evaluate biofuels for maritime use. The six-month trial demonstrated that B24 biofuel, consisting of 24% processed cooking oil, showed no adverse effects on engine performance, supporting its potential for sustainable shipping operations.
The Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA), with the Indian Ports Association, launched its inaugural Officers’ Induction Training Program on September 18, 2025. This initiative focuses on enhancing knowledge in port operations and administration, fostering skill development, and promoting inter-port cooperation to strengthen India’s maritime workforce and economic growth.
Eighty-five percent of goods in Britain are transported by sea, with over 100,000 vessel calls at UK ports annually. The Suez Canal, crucial for maritime trade, saw a 50% traffic decline in 2024 due to geopolitical tensions, prompting rerouting around Africa. Meanwhile, renewable energy has surged, powering six million homes.
The Department of Fisheries (DoF) has partnered with the FAO to upgrade Blue Port infrastructure in India, focusing on Vanakbara, Karaikal, and Jakhau. This ₹369.8 crore initiative merges technology with sustainability, improving economic growth while incorporating digital systems, energy efficiency, and effective waste management for fisheries modernization.
The cruise ship Aroya, part of the Cruise Saudi initiative, recently made a significant transit of the Suez Canal, a rare feat for passenger vessels. Carrying approximately 2,300 passengers and 1,500 crew, it is set to visit Sharm El-Sheikh before concluding its journey in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Zero Emission Services (ZES), alongside Nefcargo and Inland Terminals Group, has launched ZES 2.0, enhancing electric inland cargo shipping. This service introduces containerized battery systems for quick swaps at stations in Alphen aan den Rijn, Alblasserdam, and Den Bosch, promoting cost-effective and efficient shipping operations.
On September 14, a significant protest occurred outside the Baltimore cruise terminal, opposing the detention and deportation of four seafarers accused of possessing child pornography. Organized by a Filipino community group, demonstrators rallied for the rights of seafarers, expressing concerns about unjust deportations and calling for accountability from relevant authorities.
The Paradip and Visakhapatnam Port Authorities, along with the Odisha government, plan a major ₹21,500 crore port in Bahuda, set to handle 150 million tonnes annually. This initiative aims to solidify Odisha’s maritime status, improve trade logistics, and modernize ports, while offering tailored financing through SFCL to support stakeholders.
On September 19, 2021, a fire broke out in the auxiliary engine room of the Finland-registered cargo ship Finnmaster while departing Hull, resulting in a loss of power. Fortunately, the crew extinguished the fire and returned safely to port, but significant damage occurred, highlighting critical safety issues and mechanical failures.
