Maritime Week to Unlock ₹1 Trillion Opportunity
According to the Minister, India Maritime Week will unveil investment opportunities worth nearly ₹1 trillion. Key areas include shipbuilding clusters, port-led connectivity, cruise tourism, coastal community development, and eco-friendly logistics.
“By 2047, our goal is to handle 10,000 MMT of EXIM cargo and 500 MMT through inland waterways. India will be among the world’s top five shipbuilding nations and command a 20% share in global ship recycling,” Sonowal declared.
Major Boost for Northeast Connectivity
Sonowal revealed that two luxury cruise ships are being built at an investment of ₹250 crore for deployment on the Brahmaputra River by 2027. Constructed at Hooghly Cochin Shipyard in Howrah, these vessels will expand Assam’s river tourism under the Cruise Bharat Mission.
He further highlighted over ₹1,000 crore worth of investments in inland waterway infrastructure in the Northeast. This includes a ₹239 crore ship repair facility at Pandu (ready by 2026), a ₹180 crore approach road connecting NH-27 to Pandu Port, and ₹299 crore for new tourist jetties at Guijan, Neamati, Bishwanath Ghat, and Silghat.
Additionally, a ₹188 crore Regional Centre of Excellence in Dibrugarh will train 5,000 maritime professionals, empowering youth to drive India’s maritime growth.
Transforming India’s Maritime Ecosystem
Sonowal credited reforms since 2014 under Prime Minister Modi for reshaping the maritime sector. Initiatives like Sagarmala, Maritime India Vision 2030, and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 have doubled port capacity, reduced turnaround times, and expanded operational waterways from five in 2014 to 30 today.
Cargo movement on inland waterways has surged from 18 million tonnes in 2013–14 to 145 million tonnes in 2024–25. Sonowal said these figures represent “milestones of transformation, not just statistics.”
The Minister also stressed the importance of green initiatives such as the Harit Sagar policy and Harit Nauka initiative promoting clean fuels, renewable energy, and eco-friendly vessels. The Jalvahak Scheme, launched in 2024, incentivises cargo transport on waterways with up to 35% reimbursement of operating expenditure.
Cruise Bharat Mission: Tourism Push
Launched in 2024, the Cruise Bharat Mission aims to establish 100 river cruise terminals, 10 sea cruise terminals, and five marinas. Passenger numbers are expected to double by 2029. Currently, 25 cruise vessels are operational, with 14 on the Brahmaputra alone.
Highlighting the global recognition of Indian cruise tourism, Sonowal noted that Forbes ranked the Ganga river cruise among the world’s top 10. “Assam is poised to become the next global river cruise destination,” he added.
Shaping a Maritime Future
The Water Voyage Northeast 2025 conference, organised by the Inland Waterways Authority of India and the Indian Ports Association, brought together over 240 stakeholders including cruise operators, cargo vessel owners, and traders.
Sonowal concluded by inviting global stakeholders to Mumbai, saying, “India Maritime Week 2025 is not just an event, it is a movement. It is about shaping a maritime India that is globally competitive, digitally empowered, environmentally sustainable, and socially inclusive.”
