In a landmark push for self-reliance and maritime dominance, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation from Bhavnagar, Gujarat, during the ‘Samudra se Samriddhi’ event. He laid the foundation stone and inaugurated development works worth more than ₹34,200 crore, spanning India’s maritime sector and various key sectors across Gujarat. Emphasizing “chips or ships, they must be made in India,” PM Modi declared large ships as official infrastructure—a reform set to transform India’s shipbuilding ecosystem and reduce dependency on foreign shipping, steering the country closer to the goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047.
Top Highlights
Maritime Sector Reforms & Announcements
- Large ships granted infrastructure status to unlock financing benefits.
- “One Nation, One Document” & “One Nation, One Port Process” to digitize and streamline trade.
₹70,000 crore investment committed for three major schemes supporting,
- Shipbuilding financial aid
- Advanced technology adoption
- Modern design and quality upgrades
Key Maritime Projects Inaugurated
- Mumbai International Cruise Terminal
- New container terminals at Kolkata and Paradip
- Multi-cargo terminal at Tuna Tekra
- Upgrades at Kamarajar, Chennai, Car Nicobar, Deendayal Ports
- Ship repair hubs in Patna and Varanasi
Major Gujarat Projects
- Energy: Solar feeders, HPLNG terminal, Acrylics & Oxo Alcohol projects
- Healthcare: Hospital expansions in Bhavnagar & Jamnagar
- Connectivity: 70 km highway expansion, freight corridor integration
- Sustainability: Solarised villages, LNG infrastructure, coastal protection works
Strategic & Economic Impact
- India spends ~₹6 lakh crore annually on foreign shipping services—nearly the size of its defence budget.
- Goal to triple India’s global sea trade share by 2047.
- Each ₹1 in shipbuilding generates ₹2 in economic return.
- Every 100 shipyard jobs lead to 600+ indirect jobs.
- Ports in Gujarat handle 40% of India’s total cargo.
Static Facts
- India’s coastline: ~7,500 km
- Global maritime trade share (India): 10%
- Indian seafarers in 2014: <1.25 lakh
- Indian seafarers in 2025: >3 lakh
- Current shipping trade via Indian ships: Only 5%
- Cost of Vadhavan Port Project (Maharashtra): ₹75,000 crore
- Cost of National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal: ₹4,500 crore
- Total maritime sector projects launched: ₹7,870 crore
- Other development projects in Gujarat: ₹26,354 crore
ShivamAs a Content Executive Writer at Adda247, I am dedicated to helping students stay ahead in their competitive exam preparation by providing clear, engaging, and insightful coverage of both major and minor current affairs. With a keen focus on trends and developments that can be crucial for exams, researches and presents daily news in a way that equips aspirants with the knowledge and confidence they need to excel. Through well-crafted content, Its my duty to ensures that learners remain informed, prepared, and ready to tackle any current affairs-related questions in their exams.