Fadnavis Opens Maharashtra Maritime Summit to Boost Port-Led Growth

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis inaugurated the Maharashtra Maritime Summit 2025 in Mumbai on Wednesday, positioning the state’s coastline as a springboard for a larger port-led economy. Fadnavis said the federal government views maritime development as central to integrating India into global supply chains and pledged state support for expanding port infrastructure, shipbuilding and related services. State Fisheries and Ports Minister Nitesh Rane highlighted Maharashtra’s 877-kilometre shoreline and 15 non-major cargo ports, arguing that the combination gives the state a natural advantage for cargo handling, ship repair and recycling. He told delegates the summit would outline plans to scale up shipbuilding capacity and modernise existing facilities to attract more coastal and international traffic. The two-day event brings together policymakers, port operators and shipbuilders to discuss investments, regulatory reforms and partnerships aimed at accelerating growth in India’s ‘blue economy’. Organisers said sessions would focus on financing port expansion, improving last-mile connectivity and developing specialised clusters for green-technology vessels and marine services.