Maharashtra’s Role in India’s Maritime Growth: Devendra Fadnavis at India Maritime Week 2025

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday emphasized the state’s pivotal role in strengthening India’s maritime sector while addressing the India Maritime Week 2025 event in Mumbai.

Fadnavis stated, “Maharashtra has made a significant contribution to the country’s maritime strength. As India’s economic capital, the state owes much of its success to the strategic importance of Mumbai’s ports and the pivotal role of the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA).”

He commended the Centre’s efforts under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, noting that the construction of the Vadhavan Port had begun. “Once completed, it will rank among the world’s top 10 largest ports, further enhancing India’s maritime capabilities and strengthening the global supply chain,” he added.

Outlining the state’s initiatives to promote maritime development, the Chief Minister said, “To accelerate the growth of this sector, we have introduced the Maharashtra Shipbuilding Policy 2025, aimed at boosting domestic manufacturing and infrastructure.”

Fadnavis also invited global investors to participate in the state’s maritime growth, saying, “We welcome the global community to invest in Maharashtra and India and become a part of this transformative journey.”

Earlier, Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the India Maritime Week 2025 in the presence of Union Ministers Sarbananda Sonowal and Shantanu Thakur. He underlined India’s maritime strength and strategic location, inviting global investors to explore opportunities in the sector.

“India’s maritime strength is evident from our 11,000-kilometre-long coastline and 13 coastal states and Union Territories. The maritime economy contributes nearly 60 per cent to the country’s GDP and includes 23.7 lakh sq km of exclusive economic and special economic zones,” Shah said.

He added that almost half of India’s 800 million coastal population lives in maritime states. “The 28 countries of the Indian Ocean region contribute around 12 per cent to global exports. Through this Maritime Summit, we are opening up immense potential to global investors and industry leaders,” he said.

The event witnessed participation from key industry stakeholders, policymakers, and international delegates. Deputy Chief Ministers Ajit Pawar and Eknath Shinde, along with Goa CM Pramod Sawant, Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi, and Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel, were also present.

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) is hosting India Maritime Week 2025 from October 27 to 31 at NESCO Grounds, Mumbai.