India set to become Global Maritime Powerhouse; among top shipping centres by 2047: Shantanu Thakur

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.