Global Freight Forum Kandla highlights India’s rising port-led competitiveness

By Admin

10 Nov, 2025

The recently concluded Global Freight Forum (GFF) in Kandla set an energetic tone for India’s maritime future, bringing together an impressive gathering of top policymakers, port authorities, industry leaders, and logistics experts to discuss the nation’s growing influence in the global supply chain ecosystem.

Organised by India Seatrade, the event placed a sharp focus on Gujarat’s strategic ports, underlining their critical role in boosting India’s maritime trade. Discussions revolved around the integration of technology, innovation, and sustainability, reflecting the sector’s evolution towards more efficient and eco-friendly logistics operations.

In his welcome address, Mr. K. Mohandas, IAS (Retd) and Chairman of India Seatrade, emphasized the importance of coordinated policy actions, continued infrastructure expansion, and streamlined logistics frameworks to support India’s aspirations of becoming a global trade hub. He particularly highlighted how ports in Gujarat have set benchmarks in performance and competitiveness across the nation.

Throughout the sessions, industry experts shared insights on capacity building, multimodal connectivity, and digital transformation, emphasizing both the challenges and opportunities shaping India’s maritime growth story. Senior executives from export houses, CFS operators, shipping lines, and logistics service providers expressed optimism about India’s expanding trade capabilities and the favourable environment for international logistics operations.

An exclusive presentation by the VOC Port Authority showcased significant strides in port modernisation, enhanced connectivity, and future-ready infrastructure, reinforcing India’s commitment to building a robust maritime network.

A high-level plenary session, featuring senior government officials and trade representatives, delved into policy priorities and macro strategies for sustaining India’s competitiveness. Speakers advocated for stronger stakeholder alignment, increased investments in port and coastal regions, and rapid adoption of digital technologies within logistics frameworks.

The forum culminated with a felicitation ceremony honouring sponsors and partners, followed by a networking dinner, offering participants a platform for meaningful discussions and future collaborations.

Ultimately, the Global Freight Forum Kandla 2025 reaffirmed India’s leadership in maritime growth, reflecting a collective resolve to innovate, expand, and solidify the nation’s position in global trade and supply chains   with Gujarat’s ports continuing to anchor this transformative journey.