India navigating on `3.5-trn investment

New Delhi: Chartinga decade of transformation, from 2014 to 2025, India’s maritime sector is cruising ahead with a record performance across ports, coastal shipping, and inland waterways, according to an official statement issued on Sunday ahead of the India Maritime Week 2025, which kicks off in Mumbai on Monday.

The development is powered by Maritime India Vision 2030, backed by a total investment of Rs3-3.5 lakh crore to modernise ports, expand shipping capacity, and strengthen inland waterways. A recent landmark package of Rs69,725 crore is under implementation to boost shipbuilding and revitalise the maritime ecosystem.

India’s ports sector has witnessed a transformative leap, with total port capacity nearly doubling from 1,400 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA) to 2,762 MMTPA, reflecting major investments in modernisation and infrastructure.

The sector’s financial strength has surged, with the net annual surplus rising sharply from Rs 1,026 crore to Rs 9,352 crore, underscoring improved revenue generation and cost management, the statement said.

Efficiency indicators have also strengthened, with the operating ratio improving from 73 per cent to 43 per cent, marking a major step toward sustainable and profitable port operations.

Cargo handling volumes have grown impressively from 972 million metric tonnes (MMT) to 1,594 MMT, signalling robust growth in maritime trade and port efficiency, with major ports handling approximately 855 million tonnes of cargo in FY 2024-2025, an increase from 819 million tonnes in FY 2023-24.