Maharashtra Maritime Summit 2025 charts course for port-led growth

Times Network, India’s premium broadcast network, in association with the Maharashtra Maritime Board, Ministry of Fisheries and Ports, Government of Maharashtra, hosted the Maharashtra Maritime Summit 2025. With a clear focus on sustainable port-led development, the summit showcased Maharashtra’s commitment to public-private partnerships, smart technology integration, and enabling policy frameworks aimed at improving last-mile connectivity, boosting exports, and unlocking economic opportunities. Setting the tone for the Summit, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Shri Devendra Fadnavis outlined Maharashtra’s maritime vision aligned with India’s goals for 2030 and 2047.

Key dignitaries shaping the course of the summit included, Shri Nitesh Rane, Hon’ble Minister of Ports & Fisheries, Government of Maharashtra; Shri Sanjay Sethi (IAS), Additional Chief Secretary, Transport & Ports, Government of Maharashtra; Rinkesh Roy, MD & CEO, JSW Infrastructure; Ashwani Gupta, CEO, Adani Ports & SEZ; Aashim Mongia, M2M Ferries, amongst others. The summit reflected a shared intent to align with Maritime India Vision 2030 and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, with Maharashtra emerging as a key driver in the country’s maritime ambitions.

Delivering the Keynote address, Shri Devendra Fadnavis, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Maharashtra, said, "The Prime Minister is keen on developing a port-led economy and firmly believes that maritime development will position India as a global supply chain leader. To fuel this ambition, the Government of India has outlined the Maritime Vision 2030 and Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, and Maharashtra is fully aligned to these goals. Mumbai and the Konkan coast have a maritime legacy spanning over 600 years. We are now reinventing that role through robust policy and infrastructure. Mumbai became the economic engine of India because of two key ports — Mumbai and JNPA port. As we aim to integrate deeply into the global supply chain, we need enhanced port capacity, efficiency, and last-mile connectivity. One such initiative is the Samruddhi Mahamarg, which links 15–16 districts directly to JNPA, cutting cargo delivery from 6–7 days to less than 10 hours."

Speaking about the ambitious Vadhavan Port project, he added, “Originally conceived in the 1990s but stalled due to environmental concerns, Vadhavan Port has now been revived through innovation and sustained effort. After 2014, we identified a new alignment that bypassed ecologically sensitive zones and secured all necessary approvals. What began as a state-led initiative is now a joint venture with the Centre, with Maharashtra holding 26% equity. Once operational, Vadhavan will rank among the world’s top 10 ports by capacity. It will be connected to Samruddhi Mahamarg, linking 24 districts into the port-led ecosystem.”

He further added, “We are also strengthening rail connectivity under the Sagarmala Project and planning India’s first offshore airport near Vadhavan — creating a seamless, multi-modal logistics hub. Especially in Mumbai and the MMR region, water transport can play a key role in reducing congestion and promoting clean, efficient urban mobility. Reducing logistics costs is crucial — ₹1 by road, ₹0.30 by rail, and just ₹0.10 by water. Maharashtra is fully committed to supporting India’s rise as the world’s third-largest economy — and beyond. Together, we will make Maharashtra — and India — a global maritime superpower.”

Shri Nitesh Rane, Hon’ble Minister of Ports & Fisheries, Government of Maharashtra, said, "Maharashtra’s destiny is deeply tied to the sea — with an 877 km coastline and 15 non-major ports, we are poised to lead in maritime development. The Arabian Sea is not a boundary, but a gateway of opportunity. Our recent visit to the Netherlands was a strategic step to globalise our maritime ambitions under Maritime Vision 2030 and Amrit Kaal 2047. Discussions with Atradius, ING Group, and Invest International have opened doors to global capital, with ING committing $1 billion and support for green logistics, dry ports, and smart maritime infrastructure. We have signed MoUs with Diamond Shipyards and the Rural Enhancement Group to modernise six ITIs, benefitting 7,000 youth annually. Maharashtra has now launched the Shipbuilding, Ship Repair and Ship Recycling Policy 2025 — a first-of-its-kind initiative to build world-class marine manufacturing clusters with capital subsidies and fast-tracked clearances. We are also advancing the Mumbai Water Metro — a 30-route, 35-terminal network connecting Vasai to Gateway, Colaba to Mandwa, Mira-Bhayandar to Nariman Point — with green vessels and smart mobility solutions. This is about building a sustainable, employment-generating, and globally integrated maritime future for Maharashtra.”

Shri Sanjay Sethi (IAS), Additional Chief Secretary, Transport & Ports, Government of Maharashtra, said, "In Maharashtra, we have adopted a three-layered development approach — a 5-year mission mode, a 10-year strategic blueprint, and a long-term horizon for 2047. During the Maritime India Vision 2030 discussions, we realised ports are critical nodes in the larger logistics and value chain. At JNPA, we're increasing modal share and strengthening multimodal connectivity. Vadhavan Port is not just another project — it's a landmark in cooperative federalism, with the Maharashtra government holding 26% equity, making it the first such initiative in India. We are developing a future-ready, green, digitally integrated maritime ecosystem with SEZs, FTWZs, and air connectivity, with the goal to ease business, increase speed, and reduce cost. We’re also improving modal share at JNPA and focusing on green logistics, AI-powered infrastructure, and unified digital platforms. Maharashtra houses three major ports and leads with a shipbuilding policy, waterfront development, and inland waterways. Projects like the Radio Club Jetty — which were stalled for years — and Vadhavan have moved forward due to sustained push from the government."

The Summit concluded with a shared commitment to scale up sustainable port-led development and strengthen Maharashtra’s position as a global maritime force. Conversations highlighted the state’s growing influence in shaping India’s maritime landscape — from port-driven industrial expansion and multimodal logistics to the acceleration of passenger water transport, shipbuilding, coastal employment, and ship recycling sectors.


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