During the 10th convocation of the Indian Maritime University (IMU) in Chennai, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, congratulated 2,196 graduating students and highlighted the significant transformation of India’s maritime sector over the past decade. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, the sector has become central to India’s economic and global ambitions, offering diverse career opportunities in shipping, ports, shipbuilding, logistics, green maritime technologies, and more.
Sonowal noted the advancements in India’s ports since 2014, including extensive modernization efforts that have dramatically reduced “turnaround time” to just 0.9 days. This efficiency now surpasses that of several advanced maritime nations. Moreover, nine Indian ports rank among the top 100 globally. Future developments, such as the construction of Vadhavan port—poised to be one of the world’s largest container ports with an investment of ₹76,000 crore—underline the government’s commitment to bolstering maritime infrastructure. Additionally, cargo movement through inland waterways has increased sevenfold, and coastal shipping has surged by over 150% in the last decade.
The “Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047” outlines a comprehensive roadmap for the sector’s future, with a staggering investment of ₹80 lakh crore directed toward port infrastructure, coastal shipping, inland waterways, and green shipping initiatives. The government has implemented initiatives such as establishing green corridors and promoting the use of methanol-fuelled vessels to support sustainability in maritime operations.
To further enhance shipbuilding capabilities, a historic package of ₹70,000 crore has been launched, along with the Maritime Development Fund (MDF) that aims to provide long-term financing. The revamped Shipbuilding Financial Assistance Scheme (SBFAS) aims to address cost disadvantages faced in domestic shipbuilding, while the Shipbuilding Development Scheme (SbDS) supports the expansion of shipbuilding facilities.
Sonowal pointed out that the pool of Indian seafarers has more than doubled over the past decade, growing from 1.25 lakh to over three lakh, positioning India as one of the top three suppliers of trained seafarers globally. This growth presents promising opportunities in navigation, logistics, and related sectors, both domestically and internationally.
The minister underscored that these developments are expected to generate between 25–30 lakh direct and indirect jobs across shipbuilding, ports, and allied industries. He emphasized that India’s maritime resurgence is not just about economic enhancement; it’s also about creating meaningful employment for the youth in line with the vision of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ and an ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat.’
In closing, Sonowal reminded the graduates of their responsibilities to uphold ethical standards, embrace innovation, and tackle technological and environmental challenges, thereby contributing to India’s emergence as a maritime powerhouse and a leader in the global blue economy.
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