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Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Wednesday that India is prepared to lead the world as a “steady lighthouse” amid global uncertainty, citing a decade of massive growth in the country’s maritime sector.
Speaking at the Maritime Leaders’ Conclave and the Global Maritime CEO Forum during India Maritime Week 2025 in Mumbai, the PM Modi highlighted substantial infrastructure and efficiency gains.
He emphasised the remarkable transformation of India’s port industry over the last ten years, noting that the port surplus has increased nine-fold. He also pointed to a 700% surge in cargo movement on inland waterways and a more than tenfold rise in operational waterways.
Crucially, the efficiency of India’s ports has improved drastically.
The Prime Minister announced that vessel turnaround time has been halved from 96 hours to just 48 hours, and container dwell time has dropped to under three days, a metric he stated is “better than many developed nations.” These improvements, he added, are leading to increased foreign investment and interest in the sector.
Crew and ports on the rise
Highlighting India’s human capital, Modi said that the number of Indian seafarers has risen from 1.25 lakh to over 3 lakh, making India the world’s third-largest supplier. He projected that by 2030, one in every five seafarers globally will be Indian.
The Prime Minister highlighted reforms that make doing business easier by securing supply chains, cutting paperwork, and allowing 100% FDI. Key initiatives include:
Vizhinjam Port, India’s first deep-water international trans-shipment hub, is now operational.
A large-scale green hydrogen plant has been launched at Kandla Port.
₹70,000 crore is being invested to expand India’s shipbuilding capacity.
Modi concluded by linking these achievements to India’s rich maritime legacy and stating that projects like the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor will fundamentally redefine global trade routes.
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