Mumbai, October 27, 2025:Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the India Maritime Week 2025 (IMW 2025) at the NESCO Exhibition Centre, Goregaon, Mumbai, on Monday. The event marks one of India’s largest gatherings dedicated to ports, shipping, logistics, and maritime trade.
Organised under the aegis of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, the five-day event (October 27–31) focuses on India’s vision to become a global maritime hub and strengthen its presence across the Indo-Pacific region.
Addressing the inaugural session, Amit Shah said that India’s long coastline and rich maritime history position it as a bridge between the Indo-Pacific and the Global South. He described this decade as “India’s maritime moment”, urging the sector to move towards becoming a leading player in international shipping, logistics, and shipbuilding.
“India must transform from being the ‘Gateway of India’ to becoming the ‘Gateway of the World’. Our ports, coastal infrastructure, and maritime manpower are the engines of future growth,”
— Amit Shah, Union Home & Cooperation Minister
The Union Minister highlighted several strategic initiatives:
- The government aims to expand port-handling capacity to 10,000 MMTPA (million metric tonnes per annum).
- The ambitious Great Nicobar Island project, worth over USD 5 billion, is expected to multiply India’s maritime trade capacity several times over.
- Plans are in motion for India to become one of the top five shipbuilding nations globally.
- Enhanced connectivity between ports, inland waterways, and logistics parks will be a core part of the Maritime India Vision 2030.
Amit Shah also emphasised the importance of coastal state development, noting that states like Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh will play key roles in shaping the maritime economy.
The minister underlined the need for balanced growth — boosting blue economy opportunities such as marine tourism, fisheries, renewable ocean energy, and deep-sea mining, while ensuring coastal and maritime security.
He reiterated India’s commitment to safeguarding its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and strengthening naval capabilities as part of a secure Indo-Pacific strategy.
Amit Shah announced that India is deepening collaboration with ASEAN nations, the Middle East, and African partners in port development, cargo movement, and technology exchange.
He lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for declaring 2026 as the ‘Year of ASEAN–India Maritime Cooperation’, promoting regional synergy in ocean trade and sustainability.
With Gujarat housing India’s largest coastline and key ports such as Kandla, Mundra, and Pipavav, the state continues to lead in cargo handling and maritime innovation.
Amit Shah noted that Gujarat’s port model would be “replicated across India” to boost employment, foreign investment, and coastal development.
The event features participation from more than 40 countries, 300 exhibitors, and 5,000 delegates, including global shipping firms, port authorities, logistics companies, and policymakers.
The week-long conference includes CEO roundtables, investor summits, and technology showcases related to green shipping, autonomous vessels, and port digitisation.
