India Maritime Week 2025 Attracts Rs 12 Lakh Crore Investment Pledges

Strategic Insights -

Union ports, shipping, and waterways minister Sarbananda Sonowal announced that investment pledges worth Rs 12 lakh crore have been signed at the India Maritime Week 2025, reflecting India's goal to rank among the top five shipbuilding nations globally by 2047. The development is significant as shipping accounts for nearly 90% of India's export-import cargo by volume and about 70% by value, highlighting the critical role maritime transport plays in sustaining India's trade flows. The MoUs signed at IMW 2025 cover collaborations across port development, sustainability, shipbuilding, port-led industrialisation, and trade facilitation, with approximately 30% of the total investment value directed toward port development and modernisation.

Key Takeaways:

  • Investment pledges worth Rs 12 lakh crore have been signed at the India Maritime Week 2025, as announced by union ports, shipping, and waterways minister Sarbananda Sonowal.
  • Approximately 20% of the investment focus is on shipbuilding, with investments expected to drive India's goal to rank among the top five shipbuilding nations globally by 2047.
  • Shipping accounts for nearly 90% of India's export-import cargo by volume and about 70% by value, underscoring its critical role in sustaining India's trade flows.
  • MoUs signed at IMW 2025 cover a range of collaborations including port development, sustainability, shipbuilding, port-led industrialisation, and trade facilitation.
  • Of the total investment value, approximately 30% is directed toward port development and modernisation, with 20% each focused on sustainability, shipping, and port-led industrialisation, and 10% on trade and business knowledge partnerships.
  • DP World announced $5-billion investments during the week, across advancing green coastal and shortsea shipping.
  • Cochin Shipyard signed eight agreements, including with CMA CGM for liquefied natural gas (LNG) dual-fuel vessels and the Dredging Corporation of India (DCI) for dredgers.
  • Swan Defence and Heavy Industries tied up with Mazagon Dock for naval ships, while Adani Ports and Odisha Maritime Board announced tug and cluster projects.
  • Oil and gas PSUs launched 59 shipbuilding orders worth Rs 47,800 crore.

Statistics:

  • Investment pledges signed at India Maritime Week 2025: Rs 12 lakh crore
  • Shipping accounts for: 90% of India's export-import cargo by volume, and 70% by value
  • Investments expected to drive: India's goal to rank among the top five shipbuilding nations globally by 2047
  • Breakdown of investment focus: 30% port development and modernisation, 20% sustainability, 20% shipping and shipbuilding, 20% port-led industrialisation, and 10% trade and business knowledge partnerships
  • DP World investments: $5 billion
  • Shipbuilding orders launched by oil and gas PSUs: 59
  • Value of shipbuilding orders launched by oil and gas PSUs: Rs 47,800 crore

Sources:

  • Union ports, shipping, and waterways minister Sarbananda Sonowal
  • India Maritime Week 2025