The Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) and the Indian Ports Association (IPA), under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, hosted the “Leaders’ Dialogue on Green & Digital Maritime Corridors” in Mumbai on Tuesday, laying the groundwork for India Maritime Week 2025, scheduled for October 27-31 at the Bombay Exhibition Centre in Goregaon. The event drew over 300 delegates, including senior government officials, international dignitaries, and maritime industry leaders from India and abroad.
In a video address, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal highlighted the transformative potential of the India-Singapore Green & Digital Shipping Corridor. He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership for strengthening bilateral ties with Singapore, stating that the corridor would drive adoption of low-emission technologies and digital tools, redefining global trade as economic, green, and digital pathways.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis outlined the state’s maritime roadmap with milestones set for 2029, 2035, and 2047. He emphasized the upcoming Vadhavan Port, describing it as poised to rank among the world’s top ten ports from its first day of operations, significantly enhancing India’s maritime infrastructure.
Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong praised the 60-year partnership between India and Singapore, emphasizing collaboration in green shipping, renewable energy, and maritime innovation as key to a sustainable future. Jeffrey Siow, Singapore’s Acting Minister for Transport, underscored the shared vision, noting that a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the Green & Digital Shipping Corridor, set for finalization in September 2025, would bolster joint efforts in technology and sustainability.
T K Ramachandran, Secretary of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, highlighted the role of international corridors like the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC), International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), and Eastern Maritime Corridor (EMC) in fostering trade, governance, and regional integration. He described the India-Singapore corridor, formalized through a Letter of Intent in March 2025, as aligning with both nations’ focus on clean energy, smart logistics, and digital innovation.
R Lakshmanan, Joint Secretary (Ports), introduced India Maritime Week 2025 as a platform to showcase India’s maritime capabilities, innovation, and global partnerships. He described the event’s theme, “Uniting Oceans, One Maritime Vision,” as a commitment to uniting global maritime stakeholders amid evolving geopolitical dynamics.
Unmesh Sharad Wagh, Chairman of JNPA and CMD of Vadhavan Port Private Limited, emphasized JNPA’s role in advancing India’s maritime vision and called for greener, smarter, and more connected corridors. The dialogue featured sessions on maritime reforms, infrastructure achievements, and international cooperation, alongside panel discussions on sustainable and resilient maritime economic corridors.
Supported by ASSOCHAM as the industry partner and Grant Thornton Bharat LLP as the knowledge partner, the event concluded with a renewed commitment to advancing the India-Singapore Green & Digital Shipping Corridor. India Maritime Week 2025 aims to foster innovation, policy dialogue, and investment, aligning with the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047. For more details, visit www.imw.org.in.