Shipping Industry & Ports in India

India has plans to invest US$ 82 billion in port projects by 2035.

Advantage India

Robust
Demand

*Ports sector in India is being driven by high growth in external trade.

*On June 19, 2024, the Indian government approved plans to invest over Rs. 78,264 crore (US$ 9 billion) in the construction of Vadhavan Port, located north of Mumbai, which aims to become one of the world's top 10 ports, enhancing trade capacity between India, the Middle East, and Europe.​

Robust Demand

Attractive
Opportunities

*India plans to establish a new shipping company to expand its fleet by at least 1,000 ships in the next decade, aiming to reduce freight costs and capture more revenue from increasing trade, with joint ownership by state-run oil, gas, and fertilizer companies, along with the state-run Shipping Corporation of India and foreign companies, targeting a reduction of at least one-third in foreign freight outgoings by 2047.​

*In October 2024, Union Cabinet approved the development of the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) at Lothal, Gujarat, showcasing India’s 4,500-year-old maritime heritage. This project is expected to enhance employment, tourism, and cultural preservation. ​

Attractive Opportunities

Policy
Support

*On July 26, 2024, the Government of India announced an update to the Shipbuilding Financial Assistance Policy (SBFAP), which has provided financial aid totaling Rs. 337 crores (US$ 40.40 million) to enhance India’s competitiveness against foreign shipyards and revitalize the shipbuilding industry. Since the policy's inception, 313 vessel orders valued at approximately Rs. 10,500 crores (US$ 1.26 billion) have been secured.​

*The Union Budget 2025-26, extends the Shipbuilding Financial Assistance Policy (SBFAP) 2.0 with a Rs. 18,090 crore (US$ 2.08 billion) outlay, offering subsidies to Indian shipyards to offset costs and boost domestic shipbuilding.​

Policy Support

Competitive
Advantage

*India has a coastline which is more than 7,516.6 km long, interspersed with more than 200 ports.​

*In the Union Budget for 2025-26, Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs, Ms. Nirmala Sitharaman, introduced a Maritime Development Fund (MDF) of Rs. 25,000 crore (US$ 2.87 billion) to promote infrastructure and competitiveness within the maritime industry. ​

Competitive Advantage
Last updated: Apr, 2025

Major Ports in India

  • Kolkata
  • Paradip
  • Visakhapatnam
  • Kamarajar (Ennore)
  • Chennai
  • V.O Chidambaranar
  • Cochin
  • New Mangalore
  • Mormugao
  • Deendayal
  • Mumbai
  • J.N.P.T
Major Ports in India

Posters

MORE

IBEF Campaigns

MORE
Discover India 2024

Discover India 2024

APEDA is organizing participation in SIAL Paris 2024 scheduled to be held f...

Aatmanirbhar Bharat Utsav 2024

Aatmanirbhar Bharat Utsav 2024

Union Minister of External Affairs, Dr. S. Jaishankar and Union Commerce an...

Case Studies

MORE

Shaping the Future: How PM Ujjwala Yojana is Addressing India’s Energy Needs

Shaping the Future: How PM Ujjwala Yojana is Addressing India’s Energy Needs

India, with its large population and diverse socio-economic conditions, has long struggled to ensure clean and affordable energy access for all, espec...

India's Electronics Sector: Pathway to Global Value Chain Integration

India's Electronics Sector: Pathway to Global Value Chain Integration

Electronics manufacturing plays an essential role in the global supply chain, fuelling everything from electric cars on the road to smartphones in our...

Affordable Luxury: Understanding Premiumisation and Evolving Consumer Preferences

Affordable Luxury: Understanding Premiumisation and Evolving Consumer Preferences

The concept of "Affordable Luxury" is critical in the Indian context. Unlike traditional luxury, which caters to an elite niche, affordable ...

IBEF BLOG

MORE
Fashion Forward: An Analysis of India's Growing Apparel Market
26 Apr 2025

Fashion Forward: An Analysis of India's Growing Apparel Market

India's apparel market is transforming remarkably, characterised by vib...

India's Container Traffic Boom: Implications for Trade and Economy
25 Apr 2025

India's Container Traffic Boom: Implications for Trade and Economy

India’s container traffic has witnessed remarkable growth in recent y...

Changing India's Industrial Environment: An Overview of the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme (NICDP)
22 Apr 2025

Changing India's Industrial Environment: An Overview of the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme (NICDP)

The National Industrial Corridor Development Programme (NICDP) in India has...

Partners
Loading...