The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) held an Ambassadors’ Roundtable Meet in New Delhi, attracting envoys from 28 countries, industry leaders, and multilateral representatives, all aimed at preparing for India Maritime Week (IMW) 2025, scheduled for October 27-31 in Mumbai. Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal chaired the meeting, emphasizing India’s ambition to become a global maritime trade hub with a $1-trillion investment roadmap in ports, logistics, shipbuilding, and green energy.
Sonowal highlighted the transformative vision under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, outlining initiatives like Maritime India Vision 2030 to enhance the resilience and sustainability of the shipping sector. Key opportunities were presented by R. Laxmanan, Joint Secretary of MoPSW, focusing on developments at Vadhavan Port and the Galathea Bay Transhipment Port, as well as investments in LNG bunkering and green hydrogen.
Discussions also pointed to India’s commitment to advancing shipbuilding capacity, promoting green shipping, and enhancing logistics through digitalization. The recent introduction of five new legislations aimed at updating colonial-era laws was well received. Sonowal concluded by stressing that IMW 2025 would foster collaborations to ensure a prosperous and sustainable maritime future for India.
