The Union Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has pledged full support for the development of Kollam Port in Kerala under the Sagarmala initiative. Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, in a written reply to the Lok Sabha, emphasized the need for the Kerala Maritime Board to submit a comprehensive proposal through the state government to include Kollam Port in the Sagarmala project, which provides central funding for integrated port development . The Centre has already provided financial assistance to upgrade the port's infrastructure, enabling it to handle passenger, cargo, and luxury ships, and plans are underway to initiate a shipping service to Minicoy Island in Lakshadweep . Member of Parliament Premachandran has urged state officials to expedite the submission of the proposal to the central government to facilitate the port's comprehensive development.Contact: Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Website: https://shipmin.gov.in/Tel: 011-23719312  Maharashtra, Blackstone Ink Rs 5,127 Cr Logistics Parks DealThe Maharashtra government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Blackstone Group's subsidiaries, Horizon Industrial Parks and XSIIO Logistics Parks, to develop over 10 modern industrial and logistics parks across the state. This initiative involves a foreign direct investment (FDI) of Rs 5,127 crore and is expected to generate approximately 27,510 direct and indirect employment opportunities. The parks will span 794.2 acre with a built-up area of 18.5 million sq ft, strategically located in key industrial hubs such as Nagpur, Bhiwandi, Chakan, Sinnar, and Panvel. Aligned with the Maharashtra Logistics Policy 2024, these developments aim to promote sustainable and tech-enabled infrastructure to drive employment, investment, and regional economic growth.Contact: Government of MaharashtraWebsite: https://www.maharashtra.gov.in/Email: assttech2.it@maharashtra.gov.inSMPK Targets Double-Digit Cargo Growth in FY2025Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port (SMPK) in Kolkata aims for a double-digit cargo growth in FY2025, following a 3.75% decline to 63.95 million tonnes in FY2024. April 2025 saw a 45.32% year-on-year increase in cargo throughput, driven by a 31.18% rise in container traffic. The port's initiatives include ₹70 crore in concessions, mechanization projects at Haldia and Kolkata docks, and the resumption of thermal coal handling. These efforts position SMPK to potentially surpass 70 million tonnes in cargo handling for the first time since its establishment in 1870.Contact: Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Website: https://shipmin.gov.in/Tel: 011-23719312Maharashtra Launches India's First Shipbuilding PolicyMaharashtra has become the first Indian state to introduce a dedicated Shipbuilding, Ship Repair, and Ship Recycling Policy, aiming to transform the state into a maritime hub. The policy targets investments of Rs 6,600 crore and the creation of 40,000 jobs by 2030, with projections of Rs 18,000 crore in investments and 3.3 lakh jobs by 2047. Key provisions include capital subsidies up to 15 per cent of project costs, support for skill development and R&D, and concessional land leases. The policy aligns with national maritime visions to boost India's global shipbuilding standing.Contact: Government of MaharashtraWebsite: https://www.maharashtra.gov.in/Email: assttech2.it@maharashtra.gov.inMajor Ports Handle Record 855 MT Cargo in FY25India's 12 major ports achieved a record cargo throughput of 855 million tonnes in FY2024-25, marking a 4.3% increase from the previous year. This growth was driven by a 10 per cent rise in container traffic, 13 per cent in fertilisers, and 3 per cent in petroleum, oil, and lubricants (POL) . Paradip and Deendayal ports each surpassed the 150 million tonne milestone, while Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority handled a record 7.3 million TEUs, up 13.5 per cent Y-O-Y. Additionally, 962 acre were allocated for industrial use, attracting investments worth ₹68,780 crore, and PPP investments at major ports tripled to Rs 3,986 crore.Contact: Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Website: https://shipmin.gov.in/Tel: 011-23719312(Photo by Simon R. Minshall)