Maharashtra unveils vision for investor-friendly maritime growth

Maharashtra is set to introduce a new maritime development policy, which the state government expects to be the most investor-friendly in the country. The announcement was made by State Ports Minister Nitesh Narayan Rane, who highlighted a proposed ₹26.5 billion shipyard project and efforts to convert investment commitments into actual projects.

The announcement came as FICCI inaugurated the Maritime India Conference & Expo, with the Netherlands as the partner country. Separately, a FICCI–Crisil report called for competitive steel prices, greater domestic manufacturing capacity and assured demand to strengthen India's container manufacturing industry and improve its global competitiveness.

At the inaugural session, FICCI unveiled four knowledge reports developed in collaboration with PwC, Kearney, EY and Crisil Intelligence. The reports focus on building smart, future-ready ports, strengthening hinterland connectivity and cargo evacuation, expanding India's shipbuilding and ship repair capabilities, and developing a globally competitive domestic container manufacturing industry.

Vijay Sankar, President-Elect of FICCI and Chairman of Sanmar Group, said, “India’s maritime transformation is not simply an infrastructure story. It is a story of economic competitiveness, strategic capability and national ambition.”

The Panel discussion explored how India can develop future-ready smart ports by leveraging automation, digital technologies and integrated logistics systems. Attended by Sushil Kumar Singh, Chairperson, IPA, Deendayal Port Authority, New Mangalore Port Authority; Marco Consalvo, President, Trieste and Monfalcone Port Authority; Devki Nandan, Co-Chair, FICCI Committee on Ports & Shipping and Whole Time Director, JSW Infrastructure; Jibu Kurien Itty, CEO - Ports & Terminals, DP World Nhava Sheva; Pavithran Kallada Managing Director PSA India; Ashish Rajgarhia, Chief Executive Officer Essar Ports; Debraj Mukherjee Head of Business (Maritime, Oil & Gas) Nelco; Rituparn Raghuvanshi Head - Ports ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India; Sony Thomas Director - Marketing & Operations IRM Offshore and Marine Engineers and Dhruv Gadh, Partner -Transport, Logistics & Infrastructure, PwC India.

The leaders emphasised that port efficiency must extend beyond terminal operations to connect shipping lines, rail networks, road transport, inland container depots and other supply chain stakeholders. Greater data sharing, interconnected platforms and predictive analytics were identified as key enablers of improved cargo visibility, resource utilisation and operational planning, particularly amid changing trade patterns and shipping disruptions.

Speakers also highlighted the importance of building digital readiness into port infrastructure from the planning stage, alongside investments in equipment reliability, connectivity, adequate power capacity and cybersecurity. They noted that developing smart ports is not simply about adopting advanced technology, but creating an ecosystem that can adapt to future requirements. Rather than investing in every technology at once, ports must establish flexible infrastructure that allows new solutions to be integrated as operational needs evolve.