Jobs, Trade, and Global Reach: Inside India’s ₹80 Lakh Crore Maritime Mission |

Updated: January 25, 2026 13:16

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Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal announced that India’s maritime sector is projected to attract investments worth over ₹80 lakh crore in the coming years. Building on ₹12 lakh crore already invested in 2025, the sector aims to generate 1.5 crore jobs, strengthen port infrastructure, and reclaim India’s nautical supremacy globally.

Key Highlights

Massive Investment Projection: India’s maritime sector is expected to draw ₹80 lakh crore in investments over the next decade.
Recent Inflows: In 2025 alone, ₹12 lakh crore was invested in ports and allied infrastructure.
Job Creation: The sector is projected to generate over 1.5 crore jobs, boosting employment across coastal states.
Port Development: Vizhinjam port in Kerala is set to become a global transshipment hub, enhancing India’s logistics competitiveness.
Strategic Goal: The initiative aims to help India reclaim its maritime supremacy and strengthen global trade positioning.

India’s Maritime Ambition

Speaking at the inauguration of the second phase of Vizhinjam port in Thiruvananthapuram, Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal highlighted the transformative potential of India’s maritime sector. He emphasized that the sector is poised to attract ₹80 lakh crore in investments, a scale that will reshape India’s coastal economy and global trade footprint.

Port-Led Development

Sonowal underscored the importance of Vizhinjam port, which is being developed as a regional transshipment hub of global significance. Once fully operational, the port will reduce India’s dependence on foreign hubs like Colombo and Singapore, cutting logistics costs and improving efficiency. This aligns with the government’s Sagarmala programme, which focuses on modernizing ports and boosting coastal connectivity.

Jobs and Growth

The minister noted that the maritime sector’s expansion will generate 1.5 crore jobs, spanning port operations, logistics, shipbuilding, and allied industries. This job creation is expected to benefit coastal communities, while also supporting India’s broader economic growth targets.

Global Positioning

India’s maritime push is not just about infrastructure—it’s about reclaiming nautical supremacy. By investing heavily in ports, shipping, and logistics, India aims to position itself as a global maritime leader, capable of handling larger cargo volumes and facilitating international trade more efficiently.

Outlook

With investments already crossing ₹12 lakh crore in 2025, the trajectory toward ₹80 lakh crore signals a decade of unprecedented growth for India’s maritime sector. As Vizhinjam and other ports evolve into global hubs, India’s coastal economy is set to become a cornerstone of its journey toward Viksit Bharat by 2047.

Sources: The Hindu BusinessLine, Times of India, PTI, The Hindu

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