India's port sector secures ₹12 lakh cr investments; attracts 600 MoUs

India's maritime sector received a significant boost at the India Maritime Week 2025, with investment pledges up to ₹12 lakh crore (₹12 trillion), according to Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal.

Approximately 20% of this capital is dedicated to the shipbuilding sector, directly supporting the objective to be among the top five shipbuilding nations globally by 2047.

The Minister also noted that projects worth ₹8.5 lakh crore have already been grounded. This focus on the maritime industry is crucial, as shipping acts as the backbone of India's foreign trade, handling nearly 90% of export-import cargo by volume and about 70% by value.

This highlights the essential role of maritime transport in sustaining India's extensive trade flows, linking its ports to global supply chains, and facilitating the movement of diverse goods, from crude oil and coal to manufactured exports.

The event witnessed the signing of more than 600 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). A major highlight was the colossal commitment to green fuel infrastructure.

Key MoUs include the V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority (VoCPA) partnering with Jindal India Power to establish a Green Ammonia Plant and storage facility in Tuticorin worth ₹47,000 crore (₹470 billion) .

Similarly, the Paradip Port Authority (PPA) collaborated with ACME Clean Tech Solutions on a green hydrogen project valued at ₹45,000 crore (₹450 billion), and a deal with HIF Global for an e-methanol project worth ₹35,500 crore (₹355 billion).

Furthering this, VoCPA secured another partnership with Green Infra Renewable Energy Farms (GIREFPL)/ Sembcorp for a common storage area for green ammonia and green hydrogen worth ₹25,400 crore (₹254 billion), and a separate deal with ACME Green Hydrogen & Chemicals for a 1,200 MTPD green ammonia project worth ₹15,000 crore (₹150 billion).

In parallel, major port infrastructure developments were cemented, including three MoUs involving the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) for land development, maintenance, and container terminal operations at Vadhvan Port, collectively valued at over ₹78,000 crore (₹780 billion). These include partnerships with Adani Ports and SEZ (APSEZ) and Boskalis International B.V.

Oil and Gas PSUs launched 59 shipbuilding orders worth ₹47,800 crore (₹478 billion), designed to enhance indigenous capacity and create new coastal jobs. To specifically promote eco-friendly port operations, the green tug programme was launched to deploy 100 eco-friendly tugs by 2040, backed by an investment of about ₹12,000 crore (₹120 billion).

Separately, the Dredging Corporation of India (DCI) announced plans to modernise its fleet with 11 new dredgers to improve operational efficiency.

The Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) also revealed its massive ₹2.2 lakh crores (₹2.2 trillion) plan to expand its fleet to 216 vessels by 2047, with a direct investment of ₹1 lakh crores (₹ 1 trillion), strengthening India’s global maritime competitiveness.

Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said, “These partnerships are not just investments, they are commitments toward building a sustainable, resilient, and globally competitive maritime future. The agreements are expected to generate thousands of skilled jobs, accelerate port and shipping capacity, and catalyse India’s transition toward a green and digital maritime economy.”