Sagarmala Finance Corporation (SFC), India’s first maritime-focused non-banking financial company, is set to raise ₹10,000 crore ($1.08 billion) in FY27 to boost lending for ports, shipbuilding, and inland waterways, according to MD L.V.S. Sudhakar Babu. Established in June 2025 under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, SFC plans to issue bonds, term loans, and external commercial borrowings (ECBs) to support its initiatives. The corporation manages a ₹25,000 crore Maritime Development Fund, which includes ₹5,000 crore in interest subsidies.
SFC aims to disburse ₹8,000-9,000 crore in FY27, with ₹3,700 crore already allocated for greenfield projects in Andhra Pradesh, raising total funding to ₹11,100 crore. To leverage further, SFC seeks ₹2,000 crore in government equity and is considering perpetual bonds as a financial strategy. Rated AA+ by CARE and ICRA, SFC addresses long-term funding gaps in the maritime sector, especially crucial as port volumes rise by 15%.
Despite challenges like project delays and market volatility, SFC’s loan book reached ₹8,000 crore in FY26. Babu emphasized that SFC is dedicated to financing the blue economy, aligned with India’s vision for maritime growth, aiming to enhance trade efficiency and infrastructure development.
