Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Shri Nitin Gadkari, has underscored that India’s maritime sector valued at nearly USD 1 trillion (Rs 84 lakh crore) holds enormous investment potential across ports, shipping, and logistics.
Speaking at India Maritime Week 2025, the Minister said that the maritime ecosystem can greatly benefit from the financial models successfully implemented by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), such as Toll Operate Transfer (ToT), Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs), and Public-Private Partnership (PPP) frameworks.
He highlighted that these models have helped MoRTH mobilize over Rs 1.4 lakh crore, accelerating infrastructure development and improving execution timelines. Applying similar frameworks to the maritime sector, he noted, could significantly enhance private sector participation, project efficiency, and infrastructure quality through innovation and streamlined financing.
Gadkari also launched the CMEG (RIS), India Maritime Report 2025–26, titled “Uniting Oceans, One Maritime Vision: India’s Maritime Strides.”
Expressing appreciation for Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, Gadkari lauded ongoing efforts under Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s Sagarmala 2.0 initiative, which aims to strengthen shipbuilding, ship repair and recycling, port efficiency, coastal economy, and inland waterway development.
He emphasized that with private innovation, transparent governance, and time-bound project execution, India can reinforce global confidence in its maritime leadership and position itself as a key player in the international shipping and logistics landscape.