India Maritime Week (IMW) 2025 set the stage for the country’s next wave of maritime transformation, anchored in sustainability, innovation, and global collaboration. Policymakers, industry leaders, and maritime experts converged to deliberate on port modernisation, green energy, inland waterways, cruise and passenger economy, and maritime security under the theme “Sustainable Seas, Secure Future.”

Speaking at the Green Maritime Day session, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal reaffirmed India’s commitment to achieving Net Zero by 2070, highlighting that over 95 per cent of India’s trade by volume moves through the sea.

“India’s goal is not only to expand maritime capacity but to make it greener, smarter, and more resilient,” Sonowal said. “Our initiatives—from Sagarmala and Maritime India Vision 2030 to Harit Sagar Guidelines and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047—place sustainability and innovation at the heart of growth.”

Under the National Green Hydrogen Mission, ports at VOC, Paradip, and Deendayal have been designated as green hydrogen hubs. With over 12 million metric tonnes of announced e-fuel capacity, Indian ports are emerging as key nodes for clean-fuel production, bunkering, and exports.

India is also developing its first national shore-power standard, enabling ships to use clean electricity while docked, reducing port-side emissions. Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) has begun transitioning to electric logistics and battery-powered trucks for zero-emission operations.

Five major reports were released, covering green hydrogen, e-fuels, pollution control, zero-emission trucking, and green port benchmarks.

Sweden’s country session highlighted cooperation in AI-driven automation, electric vessels, LNG, and smart port systems, reinforcing India’s technology-led clean energy transition.

India’s newly launched Green and Digital Shipping Corridors (GDSCs) with Singapore and Rotterdam are expected to accelerate green trade investments and strengthen maritime diplomacy. Country sessions with Norway and Sweden further showcased Northern Europe’s partnership in India’s maritime growth.

A landmark public–private partnership was inked between Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders and Swan Defence & Heavy Industries for the construction of Landing Platform Docks (LPDs) for the Indian Navy—marking a major milestone under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative to boost domestic defence manufacturing.

Technical sessions emphasised ports as “engines of transformation” for industrial growth and innovation. The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) unveiled plans to modernise key waterways to promote low-carbon cargo transport.

The Cruise and Passenger Economy discussions spotlighted India’s coastal and river cruise potential. Cordelia Cruises announced plans to expand its fleet to 10 ships by 2031, adding Cochin and Vizag as new home ports.

Sessions on maritime safety underscored India’s leadership in sustainable ocean governance. The HSSC Management Standard was launched to harmonise safety practices and address emerging challenges such as cyber threats and autonomous vessel regulation.

The “Fortifying Global Supply Chains” session focused on digital integration across logistics networks, strengthening resilient and low-carbon trade corridors.