INDIA MARITIME WEEK 2025:BLUEPRINT FOR A USD 1 TRILLION BLUE ECONOMY POWERHOUSE

From over 600 MoUs and green hydrogen breakthroughs to Vadhvan's rise as Asia's next transhipment titan, IMW 2025 has ignited India's maritime ascent.

- By Prajakta Karnik

Amid a world where logistics faces disrupted sea routes and mounting climate pressures, India—led by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways—hosted India Maritime Week 2025, laying out a clear roadmap for accelerating the nation’s blue economy.

In the bustling heart of Mumbai's Bombay Exhibition Centre, from October 27 to 31, 2025, the India Maritime Week (IMW) 2025 unfolded as a monumental testament to India’s ascending maritime prowess. This five-day extravaganza — themed “Ocean of Opportunities” — drew over 1 lakh delegates from more than 100 countries, over 500 exhibitors, and high-profile ministerial delegations from maritime heavyweights like Singapore, UAE, South Korea, Japan, and Denmark.

It wasn't just an event; it was a clarion call for global collaboration, aligning seamlessly with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of positioning India as a maritime superpower by 2047. Under the banners of Maritime India Vision 2030 and the Amrit Kaal framework, IMW 2025 spotlighted sustainability, innovation, and self-reliance, transforming abstract policies into tangible partnerships.

With India's ports handling 95 per cent of national trade by volume, they are set for a capacity boom to 3,000 million tonne annually by 2030. Emissions per ton of cargo? A targeted 30 per cent drop by 2030, escalating to 70 per cent by 2047.

Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, emerged as the event's spirited architect, weaving narratives of progress through multiple press conferences and plenary addresses. “India’s maritime journey is entering a new chapter under the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. We are working to transform our ports, shipping, and logistics ecosystem into one that is resilient, sustainable, and future-ready,” he said.