India's Maritime Sector Sails Ahead with ₹80 Lakh Crore Vision to Become Global Powerhouse
SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure | SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | SDG 13: Climate Action
Institutions: Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways | Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI)
India’s maritime sector has laid out a massive long-term plan, the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, earmarking nearly ₹80 lakh crore in investments across ports, shipping, and green initiatives to position the nation as a global maritime and shipbuilding powerhouse. This long-term roadmap builds upon the progress of the Maritime India Vision 2030 (MIV 2030), which projected over ₹3–3.5 lakh crore in investments.
The decade leading up to 2025 has already witnessed a significant transformation:
Port Efficiency: Total port capacity has nearly doubled from 1,400 MMTPA to 2,762 MMTPA. Crucially, the average vessel turnaround time has been cut by more than half, dropping from 93 hours to just 48 hours, significantly boosting global competitiveness.
Inland Waterways: Cargo movement on inland waterways saw explosive growth, surging by over 710% from 18 MMT in 2014 to 146 MMT in 2025, supported by an increase in operational waterways from 3 to 29.
Workforce & Shipping: India’s seafarer workforce has more than doubled to over 3 lakh in a decade, now representing 12% of the global seafaring workforce. The Indian-flagged fleet has expanded to 1,549 vessels with gross tonnage increasing from 10 MGT to 13.52 MGT.
The path to 2047 includes a recent landmark ₹69,725 crore package to boost shipbuilding. Furthermore, a strong focus is placed on sustainability through the promotion of green shipping corridors, the introduction of green hydrogen bunkering at major ports, and the development of methanol-fueled vessels.
As nearly 95% of India’s trade by volume moves via sea, the successful implementation of MIV 2030 and the Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 is foundational to the nation’s economic growth and status as a global manufacturing hub. The strategic investments in green technology and infrastructure are positioning India to lead the global supply chain transition towards sustainable and resilient logistics.
What is Vessel Turnaround Time (VTT)? → Vessel Turnaround Time (VTT) is a key measure of port efficiency that quantifies the total time a ship spends at a port, from arrival to departure. A reduced VTT directly translates to lower operational costs for shipping lines and faster movement of cargo, making a country’s ports more competitive on the international trade routes.
Relevant Question for Policy Stakeholders: To achieve the ₹80 lakh crore investment goal, what regulatory reforms are needed to de-risk private-sector investment in port automation and green shipping technology?
Follow the full news here: Maritime India - From Vision 2030 to Amrit Kaal 2047