Union Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal announced that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will keynote the Global Maritime CEO Forum during the India Maritime Week in Mumbai from October 27-31, 2025. This event aims to showcase India’s maritime strengths, attracting over 100,000 participants from more than 100 countries. Sonowal emphasized that the Prime Minister’s presence will reinforce India’s leadership in the maritime sector, which is currently undergoing significant transformation.
In a major development for the Northeast, Sonowal revealed plans for two luxury cruise ships, with a total investment of ₹250 crore, set to enhance river tourism on the Brahmaputra. These ships, under construction at Hooghly Cochin Shipyard, are expected to launch in 2027 as part of the Cruise Bharat Mission. The Minister highlighted that since 2014, India’s maritime ecosystem has seen substantial improvements, including nearly doubled port capacity and increased cargo handling.
Sonowal also discussed initiatives promoting green transitions in the maritime sector, such as the Harit Sagar policy. He noted significant investments in Northeast infrastructure, including a ₹239 crore ship repair facility in Guwahati and new tourist jetties to boost cruise tourism. These efforts aim to unlock the region’s maritime potential and empower local youth in maritime careers.
