India’s Maritime sector is making waves globally, says PM Modi

Indiarsquos maritime sector is advancing rapidly and with renewed energy Prime Minister Narendra Modi said while addressing Maritime Week 2025 in Mumbaion WednesdayHe said that the nationrsquos ports are now among the most efficient in the developing worldSpeaking at the Maritime Leadersrsquo Conclave PM Modi highlighted the governmentrsquos sweeping reforms and modernisation in the shipping sectorldquoWe have replaced colonialera shipping laws which were in place for over a century with modern and forwardlooking legislation fit for the 21st centuryrdquo the Prime Minister saidldquoToday Indiarsquos ports are counted among the most efficient in the developing world and in many respects they outperform those in the developed worldrdquo he saidThe 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 managementUnder the Maritime India Vision more than 150 initiatives have been launched resulting in major improvements across the sector The capacity of Indiarsquos major ports has doubled and turnaround times have reduced significantlyLIVE PM Shri narendramodi attends the Maritime Leaders Conclave in Mumbai httpstcoGD51cIwIkWmdash BJP BJP4India October 29 2025India 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 125 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 saidCruise 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 32ldquoThe net annual surplus of our ports has increased ninefold in the last decaderdquo PM Modi noted adding that the maritime sector is now a key driver of Indiarsquos economic growth and global tradeIndia Maritime Week 2025 themed ldquoUniting Oceans One Maritime Visionrdquo is being organised from October 27 to 31 2025The Global Maritime CEO Forum brings together some of the worldrsquos 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 highlevel dialogue on the future of the global maritime ecosystem focusing on sustainable growth resilient supply chains green shipping and inclusive blue economy strategies