India has set an investment target of Rs 80 lakh crore for its maritime sector by 2047 under the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision, aiming to generate employment to the tune of 1.5 crore.

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal announced the plan ahead of India Maritime Week 2025, highlighting priorities such as green shipping, supply chain resilience, port modernisation, and digitalisation. The Sagarmala programme currently includes 840 projects worth Rs 5.8 lakh crore, with 272 already completed. A major highlight is the Rs 76,000 crore Vadhavan Port project in Maharashtra, which is expected to rank among the world’s top 10 container ports and create 12 lakh work opportunities. India’s ports have significantly improved efficiency, with an average turnaround time of just 0.9 days — better than ports in the US, Germany, and Singapore.

Cochin Port and the Vallarpadam transhipment terminal are set for expansion to handle growing cargo traffic. Under the Sagarmala programme, 54 projects worth Rs 24,000 crore are underway in Kerala, with 20 completed, including modernised fishing harbours in Kochi, Kannur, and Thrissur. 

Additionally, nine Indian ports are now among the world’s top 100. The government has enacted five new maritime laws and launched a Rs 25,000 crore Maritime Development Fund to support shipbuilding, large vessels, and inland water transport.