Kolkata, 22th August, 2025

 

Minister of state for ports, shipping and waterways Shri Shantanu Thakur on Friday attended a roadshow-cum-trade felicitation programme themed Unlocking India's Future: Inclusive Port-led Industrial Growth in Kolkata. The event was organised by Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port (SMP) as a prelude to the India Maritime Week (IMW) 2025 scheduled in Mumbai later this year. 

Addressing stakeholders, Shri Thakur highlighted the passing of five bills of the ministry of ports, shipping and waterways in the monsoon session of Parliament as an achievement. 

The Bills of Lading Bill, 2025; The Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2025; The Coastal Shipping Bill, 2025; The Merchant Shipping Bill, 2025; and The Indian Ports Bill, 2025 were passed by both houses of Parliament during the session.

The minister credited Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's vision for the port sector's unprecedented growth in the last 11 years. He said that the aim is to increase the current capacity of Indian ports from 88 MMT (million metric tonnes) to 180 MMT by 2047. He urged all participating stakeholders to come together to achieve this target. 

Stressing the importance of port-led development, Shri Thakur said ports account for 70 per cent of total trade; drive export of indigenous goods and industrialization; and are crucial for the country's economic growth targets. He said that the sector's project pipeline of around Rs 7000 crores over the next five years indicates trade confidence. Shri Thakur also informed about under-development trans-shipment projects in the country and their significance, going forward. He felicitated achievers in the sector for leading development. 

SMP chairperson Shri Rathendra Raman and chairperson-in-charge of Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority Shri Unmesh Sharad Wagh were also present, among others. 

IMW 2025, which aims to showcase India's coastal economy, is scheduled during October 27-31, 2025 in Mumbai with participation expected from over 100 countries.

 

 

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