SMFCL clears ₹25,000 crore borrowing blueprint to power India’s maritime infrastructure expansion

THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU    

NEW DELHI, NOVEMBER 22, 2025

Sagarmala Finance Corporation Limited (SMFCL), a Mini-Ratna CPSE under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, has set the stage for a major push in India’s maritime infrastructure financing with the approval of an ambitious borrowing plan worth ₹25,000 crore. The decision, taken at the Corporation’s Annual General Meeting, marks a significant step toward accelerating port-led development and unlocking new avenues of growth across the maritime sector. Of the approved limit, ₹8,000 crore has been allocated for the current financial year, which SMFCL plans to mobilise through leading banks, financial institutions and bond issuances as part of its structured resource mobilisation strategy. This sizeable capital infusion will enable the Corporation to commence lending operations in the near term, strengthening its role as a specialised financial institution for maritime development.

With discussions already underway with major financial rating agencies, SMFCL anticipates securing apex-scale ratings, buoyed by a positive industry outlook and a strong project pipeline across the maritime value chain. Such ratings are expected to further elevate investor confidence and optimise borrowing costs, giving the Corporation a competitive edge as it executes its expansive financing roadmap. The strategic vision includes a holistic funding framework covering ports, port connectivity, port-led industrialisation, coastal community development, coastal shipping and inland waterways, with a special focus on vessel financing that is poised to address long-standing gaps in the ecosystem.

Positioned to play a catalytic role in boosting India’s shipbuilding capabilities, SMFCL aims to support the nation’s aspiration of becoming a formidable global player in the shipbuilding industry. To ensure wide-ranging impact, the Corporation will offer tailored loan products to eligible Government and Private Sector entities, spanning short-term, medium-term and long-term financing needs. Additionally, support for cash-flow mismatches and non-fund-based instruments will be made available, enabling a more resilient, well-capitalised and future-ready maritime sector.