**Executive Summary**
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) is reinforcing its commitment to port-led development to boost India's export competitiveness and economic growth. Minister of State Shantanu Thakur addressed the CII EXIM Conference 2026, emphasizing the maritime sector's central role in India's global trade expansion and the vision to position India as a leading shipping hub by 2047. The initiative began in 2014 and aims to build a globally competitive maritime sector.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Maritime Sector Importance:**
* 95% of India's trade by volume and 70% by value is handled through ports.
* The maritime sector is a strategic enabler of India's global trade ambitions.
* **Progress and Initiatives:**
* India's port capacity has more than doubled.
* Cargo handling efficiency has improved significantly.
* Turnaround time at major ports has reduced substantially due to mechanization and digitalization.
* **Economic Vision:**
* Export competitiveness is a strong pillar for India becoming a USD 5 trillion economy and realizing the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.
* **Shipbuilding Ecosystem:**
* The government is strengthening India's shipbuilding ecosystem through policy measures and budgetary support.
* India has the potential to become a major global shipbuilding nation, particularly for the inland sector.
* **Industry Partnership:**
* Industry partnership is crucial for strengthening the maritime ecosystem and advancing India's global competitiveness.
**Impact Analysis**
**Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW)**
* **Impact:** Responsible for implementing initiatives to modernize maritime infrastructure, strengthen multimodal connectivity, and improve logistics efficiency.
* **Action Required:** Continue implementing major initiatives and supporting policy for the sector.
**Port Authorities and Operators**
* **Impact:** Need to enhance port capacity and efficiency to accommodate increasing trade volumes.
* **Action Required:** Implement mechanization and digitalization initiatives to improve cargo handling efficiency and reduce turnaround time.
**Shipbuilding Industry**
* **Impact:** Opportunity to expand and contribute to India's goal of becoming a major global shipbuilding nation.
* **Action Required:** Leverage policy support and budgetary measures to enhance shipbuilding capabilities.
**Exporters and Traders**
* **Impact:** Benefit from improved port infrastructure and logistics efficiency, leading to enhanced competitiveness.
* **Action Required:** Utilize improved infrastructure and logistics to expand trade activities.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW): The primary government body responsible for modernizing maritime infrastructure and improving logistics efficiency in India.
Viksit Bharat Vision: A national vision aiming to transform India into a USD 5 trillion economy, with a strong focus on export competitiveness.
Kolkata: Location of the CII EXIM Conference 2026, where discussions focused on India's maritime sector and global trade.
Shantanu Thakur: Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, who highlighted the role of the maritime sector in India's trade expansion.
CII EXIM Conference 2026: A conference addressing the role of the maritime sector in India's global trade expansion
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
India Set to Become Global Maritime
Powerhouse; Among Top Shipping Centres by
2047: MoS Shantanu Thakur
Ports Handle 95% of India’s Trade by Volume; Maritime
Sector Key to Viksit Bharat Vision
Posted On: 26 FEB 2026 8:10PM by PIB Delhi
Reinforcing the Government’s commitment to port-led development as a cornerstone of India’s export
competitiveness and economic growth, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) is
implementing major initiatives to modernise maritime infrastructure, strengthen multimodal connectivity
and improve logistics efficiency across the country.
Addressing the CII EXIM Conference 2026 in Kolkata, the Hon’ble Minister of State for Ports, Shipping
and Waterways, Shri Shantanu Thakur, highlighted the central role of the maritime sector in India’s global
trade expansion and the vision to position India as a leading shipping hub by 2047.
Shri Shantanu Thakur said: “Nearly 95% of India’s trade by volume and around 70% by value is handled
through our ports. This clearly shows that the maritime sector is not merely a transport channel — it is a
strategic enabler of India’s global trade ambitions.”
Emphasising the progress achieved in the maritime sector over the past decade, the Minister noted that
India’s port capacity has more than doubled, cargo handling efficiency has improved significantly, and
turnaround time at major ports has reduced substantially, supported by mechanisation and digitalisation
initiatives.
He added: “As India moves towards becoming a USD 5 trillion economy and realising the vision of Viksit
Bharat 2047, export competitiveness will be one of the strongest pillars of our economic transformation.”
Shri Shantanu Thakur also highlighted the Government’s renewed focus on strengthening India’s
shipbuilding ecosystem, noting that recent policy measures and budgetary support will help position India
as a major global shipbuilding nation.
He said: “As you are aware, the Hon’ble Finance Minister in the recent Union Budget has emphasised the
development of shipbuilding and support for the inland shipbuilding sector. India’s geographical position
is highly significant for global trade as well as the global shipbuilding industry.”
Highlighting India's long-term potential in the sector, the Minister said that with sustained policy support
and industry participation, India has the potential to emerge among the leading shipbuilding nations
globally.“With the right momentum and support to shipbuilding, we can achieve our targets and reach
among the top shipbuilding nations in the world.”Shri Thakur emphasised the importance of industry partnership in strengthening the maritime ecosystem
and advancing India’s global competitiveness. “With your efforts and support, we will move India forward
and bring our maritime sector to the forefront. Under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri
Narendra Modi ji, this initiative began in 2014, and we are committed to building a globally competitive
maritime sector in the years ahead.”
The conference brought together policymakers, industry leaders and international partners to deliberate on
strengthening India's export ecosystem through improved trade infrastructure and logistics efficiency.
The inaugural session was attended by Mr Aung Myo Thein, Consul General of Myanmar; Mr Shashwat
Goenka, Chairman, CII Eastern Region; and Mr Sandeep Kumar, Chairman, CII ER International Trade
Subcommittee, along with senior industry representatives.
***
PN/IY
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