India’s growing maritime ambitions are set to take centre stage as the country celebrates India Maritime Week 2025 (IMW 2025) in Mumbai from October 27 to 31.
Organised by the Union Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) and hosted by the Indian Ports Association (IPA), this flagship global event aims to chart a new course for India’s maritime growth and sustainability.
Themed around “Deals, Delegates, and Direction”, IMW 2025 is expected to draw participation from over 100 countries, 500 exhibitors, and 1,00,000 delegates, making it one of the world’s largest maritime gatherings.
The five-day event at the NESCO Exhibition Centre will feature exhibitions, high-level ministerial sessions, blue economy roundtables, and innovation showcases from across the world’s shipping ecosystem.
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said the summit will highlight India’s achievements in modernising port infrastructure, inland waterways, and clean energy transitions. “Cargo movement on inland waterways has grown eightfold since 2014, and turnaround time at major ports has dropped 60 per cent,” Sonowal highlighted in a statement, adding that all 12 major ports will achieve carbon neutrality by 2047.
The world's maritime leaders are gathering. Are you?
— India Maritime Week 2025 (@imw_gov) October 14, 2025
Be there as nations come together in Mumbai for pivotal conversations that will shape the future of global trade and the blue economy.
For details and registration, please visit - https://t.co/p6zxCOrXpt#IndiaMaritimeWeek2025 pic.twitter.com/loL04q6MRa
Several global partnerships will take shape at the event. Delegations from Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Denmark, and the UAE will discuss investment opportunities in port development, digital shipping corridors, and marine services.
International attendees
Confirmed attendees include the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and UNESCAP. This is a nod to India’s growing influence in shaping global maritime governance.
IMW 2025 will also highlight India’s role in the blue economy—a sector expected to contribute over $200 billion to India’s GDP by 2035 under the Maritime India Vision 2030 initiative.
Key sessions will be devoted to green ports, circular shipping systems, decarbonization strategies, and the use of AI and automation in ports.
Maritime future
India’s growing maritime confidence—both as a trading powerhouse and as a leader in sustainability and innovation within the Indo-Pacific region—has been remarkable.
India is charting a new course towards self-reliance in shipbuilding through the Shipbuilding Financial Assistance Scheme (SBFAS) and the National Shipbuilding Mission (NSbM). With a combined outlay of ₹24,736 crore, these initiatives aim to strengthen India’s shipbuilding… pic.twitter.com/6sLFdKQx0v
— Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (@shipmin_india) October 22, 2025
Close to Rs 5.5 lakh crore have already been earmarked under Sagarmala, and we are set to get an update on the ongoing projects at the event. India also supplies 12 per cent of the world’s seafarers, and all major ports are on track to become carbon-neutral by 2047.
India Maritime Week 2025 is the next natural step, marking another milestone in the nation’s journey towards a modern, inclusive, and globally connected maritime economy.
