The India Maritime Week (IMW) 2025 opened on October 27 at the NESCO Exhibition Centre, with Union Minister for Home Affairs and Cooperation Amit Shah inaugurating the five-day global event. The mega conclave is expected to draw over 100,000 participants from 85 countries, featuring 500 exhibitors, 350 speakers, and 12 concurrent conferences and exhibitions.
Held under the theme “Uniting Oceans, One Maritime Vision,” IMW 2025 celebrates India’s maritime resurgence and its long-term vision of transforming the nation into a global maritime leader by 2047. The event, continuing through October 31, will host 100+ thematic sessions, CEO roundtables, and ministerial dialogues, reaffirming India’s civilisational ethos of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam—the world is one family—by uniting global partners through shared maritime aspirations.
Leaders Converge to Celebrate India’s Maritime Strength
The inaugural ceremony witnessed the presence of several dignitaries, including Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendrabhai Patel, Goa Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant, and Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Saran Majhi, along with Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar. The event also drew global delegates, industry leaders, policymakers, and maritime students.
In his keynote address, Amit Shah underscored the strategic significance of India’s maritime sector, calling it a symbol of “strength, stability, and sustainability.”
“Our 11,000-kilometre coastline, 13 coastal states, and 23.7 lakh square kilometre Exclusive Economic Zone make India a natural maritime power. Around 60 percent of our GDP comes from coastal states, and nearly 800 million people depend on the sea for their livelihood,” Shah stated.
Highlighting India’s growing role in the Indo-Pacific, Shah said the country is emerging as a bridge between the Indo-Pacific and the Global South, driving cooperation in development, security, and environmental progress. He added that the government’s maritime strategy—anchored in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions)—aims to consolidate India’s position as a global maritime hub.
India’s Maritime Momentum: Setting Global Benchmarks
Union Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal described IMW 2025 as “a turning point in India’s maritime journey.”
Sonowal highlighted the sector’s remarkable growth over the past decade:
- Port capacity has nearly doubled to 2,700 MTPA
- Cargo handling has increased to 1,640 MMT
- Inland waterways cargo has surged from 6.9 MMT to 145 MMT
- Indian seafarers have grown by 200%, reaching 320,000
“Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Modi ji, India is not just keeping pace — India is setting benchmarks,” Sonowal remarked. “With participation from 85 countries and ₹10 lakh crore in investment commitments, India Maritime Week 2025 reflects the world’s growing confidence in India as the next big force in maritime leadership.”
Global Cooperation and Blue Economy Leadership
The Plenary Session featured an illustrious panel of international leaders, including H.E. Anthony Smith Jr. (Antigua and Barbuda), H.E. Magdalene Dagoseh (Liberia), H.E. Dr. Arvin Boolell (Mauritius), H.E. Robert Tieman (Netherlands), H.E. Marianne Sivertsen Næss (Norway), H.E. Anura Karunathilaka (Sri Lanka), H.E. Aung Kyaw Tun (Myanmar), H.E. Dr. Rumaih Al-Rumaih (Saudi Arabia), and Mr. Lee Hyun (South Korea).
The speakers collectively emphasised sustainable innovation, global collaboration, and shared responsibility in advancing a resilient and inclusive blue economy.
Meanwhile, the Centre for Maritime Economy & Connectivity (CMEC) hosted the Amrit Kaal Sessions on ship registration and financing, bringing together global financiers, shipowners, and policymakers.
Showcasing India’s Maritime Vision 2047
Maritime-rich states such as Maharashtra, Gujarat, Odisha, Goa, and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands presented port-led industrial projects, blue economy initiatives, and maritime cluster development plans aligned with the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.
A major highlight of the day was “Sagarmanthan: The Great Oceans Dialogue,” held at the Jio World Convention Centre. The forum convened diplomats, strategists, and maritime experts to discuss connectivity, sustainability, and ocean governance.
Bridging Academia and Industry
The Indian Maritime University (IMU) plays a prominent role at IMW 2025, showcasing its leadership in bridging academia and industry. Through global partnerships, industry collaborations, and student-driven initiatives, IMU continues to build a competent, future-ready maritime workforce.
With participation from over 100 countries, 500+ exhibitors, and 200+ global speakers, India Maritime Week 2025 stands as one of the largest and most influential gatherings in the maritime world — a testament to India’s rising maritime power and its global vision for 2047.
