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Cabinet officials

BIMSTEC Ports Conclave Strengthens Regional Maritime Connectivity and Sustainable Development

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, inaugurated the second edition of the BIMSTEC Ports Conclave, a two-day event that brought together policymakers, high-end officials, maritime experts, port authorities, private sector stakeholders, and academic scholars from all seven BIMSTEC nations. The event aimed to strengthen regional maritime connectivity, ports cooperation, and sustainable development in the Bay of Bengal region. In his vision statement, Sonowal emphasized the role of the BIMSTEC Ports Conclave as a springboard for sustainable development of port-led industrial clusters, aiming to create a seamless and efficient network of ports that can serve as engines of growth.

Key Takeaways:

  • The BIMSTEC Ports Conclave aims to operationalize the recently signed BIMSTEC Agreement on Maritime Transport Cooperation (AMTC), facilitate dialogue on port-led development, and foster deeper integration in maritime trade, logistics, cruise tourism, and skill development.
  • The Conclave aims to chart a common path towards a sustainable, resilient, and integrated maritime future for the Bay of Bengal, promoting robust economic growth while ensuring environmental stewardship.
  • The Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal called upon the speedy ratification of AMTC and its implementation, and announced the establishment of a BIMSTEC Sustainable Maritime Transport Centre under the Indian Ocean Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Maritime Transport (IOCE-SMarT) at the Maritime Training Institute in Powai, Mumbai.
  • The Centre will act as a catalyst for harmonising maritime policies, advancing digital and green transformation, and building the skills and capacity of the maritime workforce.
  • The Conclave featured two key sessions shaping BIMSTEC's maritime future, focusing on boosting private sector investment and PPPs to overcome outdated infrastructure and limited coordination, and exploring opportunities from shifting global supply chains.
  • The event emphasized the need for coordinated strategies, improved connectivity, and policy reforms to unlock the Bay of Bengal's potential as a resilient trade and industry hub.
  • The Union Minister of State for MoPSW, Shantanu Thakur, stated that India aims to build seamless regional connectivity through harmonizing maritime transport policies, integrating digital logistics platforms, and unlocking private sector investment.

Statistics:

  • 28 delegates from all BIMSTEC member nations attended the inaugural session of the BIMSTEC Ports Conclave.
  • 28 countries are part of the BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation).
  • India has ratified the BIMSTEC Agreement on Maritime Transport Cooperation (AMTC) first.
  • 100% of India's coastline is being utilized for development through the Sagarmala Programme.
  • 90% of India's trade is done through sea.
  • India aims to increase its share of global trade to 3.5% by 2025.

Sources:

  • Taxindiaonline.com Pvt.Ltd (2025)
  • Contify.com (2025)

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