The third edition of the Maritime India Conference & Expo has been scheduled to begin on January 22, 2025, in Mumbai, with Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal as the chief guest. FICCI is organizing this three-day event, which will attract more than 7,500 industry professionals to discuss the key developments in India’s maritime sector. Hence, as an organization, the Indian Ports Association supports the conference with emphasis on the smartness of ports through technology, sustainability, and decarbonization.
Major Themes for Maritime India Conference & Expo
These conferences, Maritime India Conference & Expo 2025, will focus mostly on different transformative themes crucial for growth in the maritime industry of India. It will also include expert panels and live demos on cutting-edge technologies in innovation, new and sustainable approaches to maritime logistic issues, and the development of the global shipping industry through innovation. Some main themes include:
Smart Technologies in Ports: Innovations in Port Infrastructures It will depict the shift of the work of the port with the integration of digital technologies as experts will explain how such technology is revolutionizing the operations of things with automation, AI systems, and Internet of Things applications.
Sustainability and Decarbonization: The forum will discuss initiatives to decarbonize the shipping industry as well. Such issues to be deliberated include efficient vessels, port operations using renewable energy, and ways to lower the environmental impacts of maritime businesses.
The emerging cruise industry in India: The event would engage debates on opportunities, challenges, and innovations in this industry as it rapidly grows with experts identifying how India could develop a sustainable and profitable cruise tourism infrastructure.
Shipbuilding and Repair Innovations: This will involve innovation in the field of shipbuilding and repair, as it is a focus area, where growth in India’s shipbuilding and repair capabilities is encouraged. It will be able to bring in technologies and trends which are making the shipbuilding sector of India strong.
The Maritime India Vision 2030
At the heart of the event is an alignment with the Maritime India Vision 2030, a government-led strategy to transform India’s maritime landscape. Under this vision, more than 300 initiatives have been initiated in terms of upgrading port infrastructure, shipping logistics, and even enhancing India’s position as a global maritime hub.
Chairman FICCI Committee on Transport Infrastructure, Dhruv Kotak said, “The flagship maritime initiative supports Maritime India Vision 2030 and helps highlight India’s opportunity to the international community”.
Topics of Discussion and how it leads to meeting trade targets, making way for better assimilation with other international markets while further developing maritime sectors.
Sarbananda Sonowal to Lead Maritime India Conference & Expo
The Maritime India Conference & Expo is going to attract a comprehensive cross-section of attendees from across various entities in major ports, ranging from Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority to New Mangalore Port Authority and Deendayal Port Authority. Senior leaders from both central and state government would participate at the conference highlighting the degree to which the sector has been promoted by the Government.
This conference will also include international participation to make it pertinent, featuring some of the key executives from top European ports and shipping companies. Such an interaction will give them highly relevant information on the present and future global maritime trends and best practices, increasing the stature of India on the world platform.
Role of India in Global Trade and Agreements
The maritime sector of India is considered to be one of the significant parts of the nation’s trade and economic objectives. As part of further internationalization of trade relations, India has signed 14 Free Trade Agreements that involve the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement with European nations and the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with the UAE. It is said to enhance the trade connectivity of the maritime sector with emerging as well as mature economies.
According to FICCI National Committee on Logistics Chair Rizwan Soomar, India is well on track to meet the $2 trillion mark in exports by 2030. “India’s maritime sector will be the backbone in carrying out the mission of our global trade partnerships,” he said, further underlining the sector’s ever-growing importance in economic strategy for the country.
Conclusion
The Maritime India Conference & Expo 2025 marks a grand milestone in India’s maritime development journey. The event, being smart in focus, and on sustainability along with international trade, would highlight what’s driving innovations into the growth of India’s ports, shipping, and logistics, hence being compatible with Maritime India Vision 2030 since the same would contribute to India to be a hub of the maritime world. It would involve the industry leaders and government officials and stakeholders from all over the world.
This is one step forward for India in strengthening its maritime infrastructure, enhancing global trade, and leading the way in sustainable maritime practices.
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For more updates on the latest developments in the Maritime sector, check out our article on Expansion of Water Metro to Other Cities: The Future of Urban Transport in the Eyes