India is targeting global leadership in the maritime sector by 2047 with investments worth ₹80 lakh crore, creation of 1.5 crore jobs and a strong push for green shipping under the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said on Tuesday.
Speaking at an event, Sonowal said India’s maritime growth is anchored on prosperity, sustainability and pride in heritage, in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
“From efficient ports to digital shipping, every initiative reflects the Prime Minister’s vision of combining economic strength with environmental responsibility. Our Blue Economy is projected to get a massive boost under Maritime Amrit Kaal,” he said.
The minister said the government’s Sagarmala programme is driving transformation with 840 projects worth ₹5.8 lakh crore to be implemented by 2035. Of these, 272 projects worth ₹1.41 lakh crore have already been completed.
The upcoming ₹76,000 crore Vadhavan Port in Maharashtra is expected to rank among the world’s top 10 container ports and generate 12 lakh jobs, he said. India’s major ports have cut turnaround time to 0.9 days, faster than benchmarks in the US, Germany and Singapore, while nine Indian ports are now ranked among the world’s top 100.
Highlighting recent reforms, Sonowal said five landmark legislations have created an investor-friendly and globally aligned maritime framework. The government has also set up a ₹25,000 crore Maritime Development Fund to incentivise shipbuilding, tonnage tax benefits and infrastructure support.
He said Kerala has emerged as a key driver of India’s maritime ambitions, with the Vizhinjam International Seaport — the country’s first fully automated transshipment hub — operational since 2024, and Cochin Shipyard expanding its global footprint. Under Sagarmala, 54 projects worth ₹24,000 crore are being executed in Kerala, including modernised fishing harbours and the Kochi Water Metro, Asia’s largest integrated water transport system.
“The Cochin Port and its Vallarpadam terminal are set for further expansion to handle rising cargo. Kerala anchors India’s vision of becoming a maritime superpower,” Sonowal said.
The minister added that with India Maritime Week 2025 scheduled in Mumbai this October, the country is expecting stronger global partnerships in areas such as decarbonisation, supply chain resilience, cybersecurity and sustainable shipping.
“A new era of maritime glory has begun. India’s sector can combine tradition with technology, history with modernity, to power our rise as a maritime superpower,” he said.