By 2047, India to handle 10,000 MMT EXIM cargo and 500 MMT via waterways: Sonowal

THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

NEW DELHI, SEPTEMBER 2, 2025

Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) Sarbananda Sonowal has set an ambitious vision for India’s maritime sector, declaring that by 2047 the country aims to handle 10,000 million metric tonnes (MMT) of EXIM cargo and 500 MMT through inland waterways. He made the announcement while addressing the Water Voyage Northeast 2025 conference in Guwahati, where he also revealed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will deliver the keynote address at the Global Maritime CEO Forum during ‘India Maritime Week’ in Mumbai from October 27–31.

Calling the event “a historic opportunity to showcase India’s maritime strength to the world,” Sonowal said participation from more than 100 countries and over one lakh stakeholders will make it the largest confluence of maritime leaders. He stressed that the Prime Minister’s presence would reaffirm India’s global leadership in a sector undergoing unprecedented transformation. “India Maritime Week will not only be a confluence of ideas, but a confluence of confidence,” he said.

The Minister also unveiled a major development for the Northeast: two luxury cruise ships worth ₹250 crore are being built at Hooghly Cochin Shipyard in Howrah for deployment on the Brahmaputra by 2027 under the Cruise Bharat Mission, adding a new dimension to Assam’s river tourism.

Highlighting India’s maritime transformation since 2014 under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, Sonowal noted that port capacity has nearly doubled, cargo handling has touched 1,600 MMT, and turnaround time at ports has reduced to 22 hours. Operational waterways have expanded from five in 2014 to 30 today, while inland cargo movement has surged from 18 million tonnes in 2013-14 to 145 million tonnes in 2024-25. These achievements, he said, reflect a deep structural shift driven by flagship programmes such as Sagarmala, Maritime India Vision 2030, and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.

Reaffirming India’s commitment to sustainability, Sonowal spoke about the Harit Sagar policy and Harit Nauka initiative promoting green fuels, renewable energy, and eco-friendly inland vessels. He also cited the Jalvahak Scheme, launched in December 2024, which incentivises cargo transport over long distances on National Waterways through the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol route with up to 35% reimbursement of operational expenditure. “With Jalvahak and fixed-day scheduled sailings, we are not just moving cargo, we are moving confidence,” he said.

Placing the Northeast at the centre of growth, Sonowal detailed investments of more than ₹1,000 crore in inland waterway infrastructure, including a ₹239 crore ship repair facility at Pandu to be operational by 2026, a ₹180 crore dedicated approach road linking NH-27 to Pandu Port by September 2025, and ₹299 crore investments in tourist jetties at Guijan, Neamati, Bishwanath Ghat, and Silghat. He also announced a ₹188 crore Regional Centre of Excellence at Dibrugarh to train 5,000 maritime professionals. “The Brahmaputra is not just a river, it is our lifeline,” he said, underscoring the region’s role in India’s maritime resurgence.

Under the Cruise Bharat Mission, launched in 2024, India aims to establish 100 river cruise terminals, 10 sea cruise terminals, and five marinas, while doubling passenger numbers by 2029. Currently, 25 river cruise vessels operate on national waterways, 14 of which are on the Brahmaputra. Sonowal pointed to global recognition of India’s potential, citing Forbes’ recent ranking of the Ganga cruise among the world’s top 10. “Assam is poised to become the next global river cruise destination,” he asserted.

The Minister said India Maritime Week 2025 will unveil investment opportunities worth nearly ₹1 trillion across shipbuilding, port-led connectivity, coastal community development, and green logistics. “This is the decade of maritime resurgence for India,” he declared. “By 2047, India will be among the world’s top five shipbuilding nations and command a 20% share in global ship recycling. This is our Amrit Kaal vision for maritime India.”

The Guwahati conference, organised by the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) and the Indian Ports Association (IPA), brought together over 240 stakeholders, including cruise operators, cargo vessel owners, and traders. Concluding his address, Sonowal urged the global maritime community to actively participate in India Maritime Week 2025. “This is not just an event, it is a movement. It is about shaping a maritime India that is globally competitive, digitally empowered, environmentally sustainable, and socially inclusive. I invite the world to join us in this voyage of confidence, commerce, and connectivity.”