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Seafarers face significant challenges in accessing shore leave, with a 61% decline in time spent at welfare centers since the pandemic began. A study revealed that nearly 70% of crew members now have less than two hours ashore, highlighting barriers like short port stays and company restrictions affecting their well-being.
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal announced a proposed bilateral free trade agreement between India and New Zealand, aimed at enhancing trade and investment. Speaking alongside New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, he highlighted mutual benefits, emphasizing collaboration in sectors like maritime, aerospace, and defense, as well as education and tourism.
On Kartik Purnima, Odisha comes alive with vibrant festivities as devotees partake in the Boita Bandana ritual. Early morning sees crowds at rivers and ponds, launching banana bark boats adorned with lamps and incense. This celebration honors ancient maritime traditions, symbolizing community unity and the blessings of Lord Jagannath.
Egypt’s Suez Canal revenues rose by 14.2% year-on-year from July to October, thanks to improved Red Sea conditions and increased traffic. In October alone, 229 ships transited the canal, the highest since the regional crisis began. The positive atmosphere post-Sharm el-Sheikh summit has encouraged carriers to resume routes.
Pole Star Global has launched an innovative maritime intelligence ecosystem featuring three products: Meridia, Meridia IQ, and Insights Data Products. This suite integrates analytics, generative AI, and real-time data to enhance safety and operational efficiency for shipping companies, governments, and financial institutions, transforming maritime decision-making processes.
Mumbai is gearing up to be a major shipbuilding hub, with plans for “Made-in-Mumbai” passenger vessels and cruise ships. The state secured investments worth ₹55,719 crore to enhance shipbuilding and port infrastructure during the India Global Maritime Summit 2025. Initiatives aim to boost India’s maritime leadership and sustainability.
Maritime safety is transforming through digital innovation, with the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) evolving into intelligent co-pilots. Thales’s WaveLINK, unveiled at Europort 2025, integrates essential safety features into a user-friendly interface, enhancing operational efficiency and redefining GMDSS terminals’ role in modern maritime operations.
Sweden is committed to helping India develop a sustainable industrial framework in line with the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). State Secretary Sara Modig emphasized Sweden’s readiness to assist India’s transition to low-carbon manufacturing, highlighting its expertise in technology transfer, particularly for the rapidly growing steel industry.
In October 2025, 30 new orders for alternative-fueled vessels were recorded, with 26 being LNG-fueled container ships. Overall, 222 orders for such vessels emerged in the first ten months, marking a 52% increase from 2024. The container segment dominated, accounting for 65% of these new orders.
Daphne Technology and Maran Gas have successfully piloted the SlipPure™ Plasma-Catalytic Methane Slip Aftertreatment system on the LNG carrier Maran Gas Chios. This innovative technology reduced methane slip by up to 4 ± 2 g/kWh, marking a significant advancement in addressing emissions from dual-fuel marine engines and supporting maritime decarbonization efforts.
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) and Shipping Corporation of India Ltd. (SCI) have signed a memorandum to collaborate in the tugboat sector, enhancing India’s port operations and promoting eco-friendly maritime services. This partnership will leverage MOL’s expertise in safety and alternative fuel technologies to support India’s Green Tug Transition Program.
Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata, the oldest operational Major Port in India, received the Maritime Excellence Award in the Heritage Category during India Maritime Week 2025. This honor acknowledges SMPK’s vital contributions to maritime development and its rich cultural history, despite challenges like a shallow navigation channel along the River Hooghly.
The V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority received the ‘Green Visionary Award’ at India Maritime Week 2025, acknowledging its commitment to environmental sustainability and port decarbonization. Chairman Susanta Kumar Purohit and Deputy Chairman Rajesh Soundrarajan accepted the award, highlighting innovative initiatives that set new standards for green transformation among Indian ports.
The Andhra Pradesh government has formed Port Proximal Area Development Authorities (PPADAs) for each seaport to enhance infrastructure and coordinate development around coastal hubs. Chaired by the APMB Chairman, these authorities will create master plans for a 10-kilometre zone inland, ensuring cohesive coastal development aligned with the APMB Act, 2018.
The latest Seafarers Happiness Index from The Mission to Seafarers shows a notable decline in seafarer happiness, dropping to 7.05 out of 10. Contributing factors include worsening wages, health concerns, and training opportunities. Crew interactions have also diminished, while improved digital connectivity offers a glimmer of hope amid ongoing challenges.
