India unveils major investment plans at Maritime Financing Summit
With 100 per cent FDI permitted in shipping under the automatic route, simplified customs clearance and the strategic advantage of GIFT City IFSC, India now offers one of the most attractive investment ecosystems in the maritime domain, said Sarbananda Sonowal, India’s Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways at the recent Maritime Financing Summit 2025 in New Delhi.
The summit brought together senior policymakers, industry leaders, global investors and domain experts to deliberate on transformative financial strategies for India’s maritime future. It is aligned with the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision (MAKV) 2047, which seeks to position India among the world’s leading maritime powers by strengthening shipbuilding, port infrastructure and financial resilience.
“India, as a maritime nation, is undergoing a transformative shift backed by strong policy support and growing investment momentum. Under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we are pursuing the vision of a developed India by 2047 Viksit Bharat with the maritime sector playing a pivotal role. Our ports have significantly improved operational efficiency, with the average turnaround time reduced from 4 days to less than 1 day, outperforming many advanced nations. Container capacity at major ports has grown by over 70 per cent, and cargo volumes through coastal and inland waterways have multiplied. Our goal is clear to make India a global maritime hub not just in trade, but also in finance, shipbuilding and green maritime infrastructure,” Sonowal said.
In his address, Minister of State Shantanu Thakur said, “India’s maritime ambitions cannot be fulfilled without reliable, long-term financial foundations. The summit is not just about sharing ideas, it’s about building trust between industry and institutions. We are committed to ensuring that enabling policies, business-friendly reforms and international partnerships create an environment where Indian shipping can grow and lead. Our coastline is a gateway to opportunity, and through shared vision and effort, India will emerge as a global maritime leader.”
Another key announcement was the proposed Maritime Development Fund (MDF), a dedicated blended finance vehicle aimed at lowering capital costs and attracting long-term investment into shipyards, coastal infrastructure and inland waterways. The MDF has been developed through wide-ranging consultations with over 100 stakeholders, including global investors, shipowners, insurance companies and financial institutions.
Policy measures such as recognising large vessels as infrastructure assets, extending the Shipbuilding Financial Assistance Scheme (SBFAS) to overcome the cost disadvantage and provide a long term visibility on the financial incentives available in the sector and enabling ship leasing through GIFT City IFSC were discussed as transformative steps to enhance India’s global competitiveness in the maritime and shipbuilding sectors. It was highlighted that policy initiatives such as the Merchant Shipping Bill and the Coastal Shipping Bill are being pursued to support Indian-flagged tonnage. Parliament passed the Bill of Lading Bill 2025 which aims to simplify the legal framework for shipping documents, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways said in a press release.
Capital support for greenfield capacity expansion involving the creation of new shipbuilding clusters and brownfield expansion to enhance existing shipyards’ capacity through a coordinated approach between the centre and states, is envisioned.
The summit featured discussions focused on innovative financing mechanisms, digital maturity of port operations, regulatory frameworks for ship leasing and ownership, insurance innovation, and sustainable shipbuilding and recycling. A major highlight was the launch of the Financial Digital Maturity Matrix (FDMM), a comprehensive framework to evaluate and elevate digital financial capabilities at major ports, enabling investor-ready, high-performance infrastructure.
“The India Maritime Financing Summit marks a defining moment in our efforts to create a self-reliant and globally competitive maritime economy. Over the past year, we have collaborated closely with stakeholders to co-develop a four-pillar strategy focused on financing, capacity-building, demand generation and skills enhancement. As we now move toward execution, coordinated public-private cooperation will be the key. This summit represents a significant stride in turning vision into action,” TK Ramachandran, secretary, MoPSW, added.
The event witnessed broad-based participation around 250 stakeholders across the maritime ecosystem. Financial institutions formed the largest group of attendees, followed by shipyards, consultants and shippers. There was also notable representation from shipping companies, foreign embassies, and industry associations, demonstrating a well-rounded presence across the maritime value chain, from component manufacturers to academic experts.