IMW 2025: NMPA signs MoUs worth ₹52,599 crore, showcases maritime leadership

By Admin

29 Oct, 2025

India Maritime Week (IMW) 2025   the world’s largest and most influential maritime gathering   set sail today at the NESCO Exhibition Centre, Mumbai. Inaugurated by Union Home and Cooperation Minister Shri Amit Shah, this grand event celebrates the theme “Uniting Oceans, One Maritime Vision”, symbolizing India’s aspiration to lead the global maritime transformation.

A Global Gathering of Maritime Minds

With over one lakh participants from more than 85 countries, IMW 2025 has brought together 500+ exhibitors, 350+ speakers, and 12 parallel conferences over five days of strategic dialogue, innovation, and collaboration. The inauguration ceremony was graced by a stellar lineup of dignitaries including Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping & Waterways; Shri Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Minister of Maharashtra; Dr. Pramod Sawant, Chief Minister of Goa; Shri Shantanu Thakur, Minister of State for Ports, Shipping & Waterways; and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Ministers Shri Eknath Shinde and Shri Ajit Pawar.

India’s Maritime Moment

In his keynote address, Shri Amit Shah described the maritime sector as a symbol of “India’s strength, stability, and sustainability.” He emphasized that this is India’s maritime moment   where the country is transforming from the “Gateway of India” into the “Gateway of the World.” Highlighting the transformative reforms under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, Shah underscored how India has emerged as a pivotal hub connecting the Indo-Pacific and Global South, strengthening its maritime footprint on the world map.

A Decade of Transformation in the Ports Sector

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal hailed IMW 2025 as a turning point in India’s maritime journey, noting that in the past decade, the nation’s port capacity has doubled to 2,700 MTPA, cargo handling has risen to 1,640 MMT, and inland waterway traffic has grown exponentially from 6.9 MMT to 145 MMT   reflecting the success of the government’s “Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.”

NMPA Leads with ₹52,599 Crore MoUs

Marking its Golden Jubilee Year, the New Mangalore Port Authority (NMPA) took center stage at IMW 2025 as a Platinum Sponsor. On Day 2 of the event, NMPA signed 18 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) worth ₹52,599 crore with major industry players such as MRPL, Aegis Vopak, Reliance, HPCL, GMPL, and IPRCL   signaling robust investor confidence in India’s western maritime corridor.

Driving PPP Innovation and Sustainability

During the Karnataka Session on “Exploring PPP Synergies for a Sustainable Blue Economy,” Dr. A.V. Ramana, Chairman of NMPA, outlined the success of Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models in enhancing innovation, efficiency, and sustainability in port operations. He highlighted NMPA’s pioneering efforts   including mechanised terminals and the establishment of a multi-specialty hospital under a PPP model, the first of its kind among