India Maritime Week 2025: Steering the Nation Toward a Sustainable, Tech-Driven Blue Economy
In September 2025, India announced a ₹69,725 crore (approximately $8.38 billion) maritime package aimed at positioning the country among the world’s top five shipbuilding nations by 2047. This bold initiative comes ahead of the India Maritime Week (IMW) 2025, scheduled from October 27 to 31 in Mumbai, which promises to be a global platform connecting industry leaders, investors, and policymakers. The maritime package represents India’s strategic push to revamp shipbuilding, ports, inland waterways, and logistics, while promoting sustainability and technology-driven growth. With the Indian coastline spanning over 7,500 km, the nation has a natural advantage in maritime trade and naval capabilities—advantages this package aims to fully realize.Components of the Maritime PackageThe maritime package is built on a four-pillar strategy that combines financial support, infrastructure development, capacity building, and policy reforms to strengthen India’s shipbuilding and maritime sector. The Shipbuilding Financial Assistance Scheme, with an outlay of ₹24,736 crore, provides subsidies and grants to incentivize domestic ship production. The Maritime Development Fund, worth ₹25,000 crore, offers long-term financing to address credit challenges and attract private investment into the maritime ecosystem. The Shipbuilding Development Scheme, allocating ₹19,989 crore, focuses on capital investment, expanding capacity, and developing new greenfield shipbuilding clusters. Finally, legal, policy, and process reforms, including granting “infrastructure status” to large ships, simplify access to long-term, low-cost financing and promote faster industry growth. Together, these initiatives are designed to create a globally competitive, technologically advanced, and sustainable maritime ecosystem that benefits both the industry and society at large.Ambitious Targets and Economic ImpactIndia’s maritime sector is set for a transformative leap with the new package, targeting both growth and inclusivity. It aims to elevate India from 16th in global shipbuilding in 2024 to a top-five position by 2047, with an interim goal of entering the top 10 by 2030. The plan includes expanding domestic shipbuilding capacity to 4.5 million Gross Tonnage annually, strengthening self-reliance in shipping and naval manufacturing. It is expected to create around 3 million jobs, particularly in coastal and rural areas, providing livelihoods to thousands of families, while attracting investments worth ₹4.5 lakh crore ($54 billion) to boost the economy and India’s strategic maritime presence. Beyond these figures, the package is designed to empower small businesses, coastal communities, and young professionals, allowing them to actively participate in India’s growing blue economy and benefit from the expansion of ports, shipping, and logistics infrastructure.India Maritime Week 2025: A Global GatheringThe India Maritime Week (IMW) 2025, held at the NESCO Exhibition Centre in Mumbai, will serve as the stage to realize the goals of this massive investment. The event is expected to bring together over 1 lakh delegates and 500 exhibitors from more than 100 countries. Ministerial delegations from nations including Singapore, the UAE, South Korea, Japan, and Denmark along with international organizations such as the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and UNESCAP will participate. Leading Indian states and industry players, including Maharashtra, Gujarat, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Adani Ports, Cochin Shipyard, and Paradip Port Authority will also be represented. The five-day conference will focus on investment facilitation, strategic partnerships, and technological collaboration, with expectations of agreements totaling over ₹10 lakh crore. The week will also promote green shipping, cleaner fuels, and decarbonization efforts, aligning India’s maritime sector with global sustainability standards.Sustainability and the Future of Maritime IndiaThe package emphasizes technology and sustainability. With all 12 major ports expected to achieve carbon neutrality by 2047 and green energy targets for 2035, India is moving toward a clean, smart, and modern maritime ecosystem. Additionally, improvements in inland waterways, which have seen cargo movement grow eightfold since 2014, and reductions in port turnaround times by 60% reflect a broader vision: efficient, environmentally responsible, and globally competitive logistics networks.The ₹69,725 crore maritime package and India Maritime Week 2025 reflect a bold, forward-looking vision. They promise economic growth, technological advancement, and global recognition, while uplifting millions of coastal families and professionals. By combining sustainability, innovation, and human development, India is charting a course for a resilient, modern, and globally competitive maritime sector—a journey that celebrates both the nation’s heritage and its aspirations. With blue waters, skilled hands, and strategic investments, India is truly set to sail into a new era of maritime leadership.