India’s maritime sector is advancing rapidly and with renewed energy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said while addressing Maritime Week 2025 in Mumbai on Wednesday.
He said that the nation’s ports are now among the most efficient in the developing world.
Speaking at the Maritime Leaders’ Conclave, PM Modi highlighted the government’s sweeping reforms and modernisation in the shipping sector.
“We have replaced colonial-era shipping laws, which were in place for over a century, with modern and forward-looking legislation fit for the 21st century,” the Prime Minister said.
“Today, India’s ports are counted among the most efficient in the developing world — and in many respects, they outperform those in the developed world,” he said.
The new shipping laws, PM Modi stated, strengthen the role of State Maritime Boards, prioritise safety and sustainability, and promote the use of digital technologies in port management.
Under the Maritime India Vision, more than 150 initiatives have been launched, resulting in major improvements across the sector. The capacity of India’s major ports has doubled, and turnaround times have reduced significantly.
LIVE: PM Shri @narendramodi attends the Maritime Leaders Conclave in Mumbai. https://t.co/GD51cIwIkW
— BJP (@BJP4India) October 29, 2025
“India is making remarkable strides in the shipping industry, particularly in the development of human resources. Over the past decade, the number of Indian seafarers has grown significantly, increasing from 1.25 lakh to over 3 lakh. Today, India ranks among the top three countries in the world in terms of the total number of seafarers,” PM Modi said.
Cruise tourism has grown rapidly, while inland waterways have expanded remarkably, cargo movement has surged by over 700 per cent, and the number of operational waterways has risen from just three to 32.
“The net annual surplus of our ports has increased nine-fold in the last decade,” PM Modi noted, adding that the maritime sector is now a key driver of India’s economic growth and global trade.
India Maritime Week 2025, themed “Uniting Oceans, One Maritime Vision,” is being organised from October 27 to 31, 2025.
The Global Maritime CEO Forum brings together some of the world’s leading figures from the maritime sector, including CEOs of top global shipping and port companies, major investors, policymakers, innovators, and international development partners. The forum aims to foster high-level dialogue on the future of the global maritime ecosystem, focusing on sustainable growth, resilient supply chains, green shipping, and inclusive blue economy strategies.
