At the Maritime Financing Summit 2025, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW) unveiled transformative initiatives aimed at positioning India as a global maritime hub by 2047 under the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision (MAKV).

About Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision (MAKV)

• It  seeks to position India among the world’s leading maritime powers by strengthening shipbuilding, port infrastructure and financial resilience.
• It aims to build efficient, resilient, and sustainable maritime supply chains, with a focus on promoting the Blue Economy.

Key Announcements and Reforms

• Operational Efficiency Boost
  • Turnaround time at ports reduced from 4 days to <1 day
  • Container capacity increased by 70%
  • Cargo volumes through coastal and inland waterways have multiplied.
• Policy and Investment Reforms
  • 100% FDI allowed in shipping via automatic route.
  • GIFT City IFSC enabled for ship leasing and financing
  • Large vessels recognised as infrastructure assets
  • Bills of Lading Bill 2025 passed to simplify maritime documentation.
• Maritime Development Fund (MDF): (Announced in FY2025-26 Budget)
  • A new blended finance vehicle aimed at:
  • Lowering capital costs
  • Attracting long-term investment in: Shipbuilding, Coastal infrastructure, Inland waterways
• Digital & Financial Innovations
• • Launch of Financial Digital Maturity Matrix (FDMM) to Assess digital financial capabilities of ports, Make infrastructure investor-ready.
• Shipbuilding Expansion: Expansion of both greenfield and brownfield shipbuilding clusters.
• Legislative Reforms: Merchant Shipping Bill and Coastal Shipping Bill in progress to promote Indian-flagged vessels

About Maritime Development Fund (MDF)

• Objective: MDF aims to boost India’s maritime sector by funding ship acquisition and expanding the Indian-flagged fleet.
• Corpus: The fund will have an initial corpus of ₹25,000 crore, with 49% from the government and the rest from port authorities, PSUs, financial institutions, and private players.
• Strategic Goal: Increase India’s share in global cargo movement to 20% by 2047 and reduce reliance on foreign vessels.
• Economic Impact: Promotes self-reliance in shipping, improves Balance of Payment, and protects strategic interests.
• Investment Target: Aims to attract ₹1.5 lakh crore investment in the maritime sector by 2030.

India’s Maritime Sector 

• India’s maritime sector handles ~95% of trade by volume and 70% by value, making it vital to the nation’s economy.
• The country operates 12 major and 200+ minor/intermediate ports supporting economic growth.
• In FY 2024, ports handled 819.22 million tonnes of cargo—a 4.45% increase year-on-year.
• The coastal economy  sustains over 40 lakhs fishermen and other significant populations of coastal communities. 

Key Initiatives in Maritime Sector

• Maritime India Vision (MIV) 2030: A long-term blueprint to boost India’s maritime sector by developing mega ports, transshipment hubs, and upgrading port infrastructure for global competitiveness and efficient trade.
• Sagarmala Programme: A flagship port-led development initiative leveraging India’s coastline and waterways to enhance infrastructure, improve connectivity, reduce logistics costs, and promote coastal economic growth.
• Major Port Authorities Act, 2021: Grants increased autonomy and flexibility to major ports, enabling faster decision-making, improved efficiency, and greater operational and financial independence.
• National Logistics Portal (Marine): A unified digital platform providing end-to-end logistics services for cargo, shipping, finance, and regulatory compliance, enhancing transparency and operational efficiency in maritime trade.

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