During the Singapore Maritime Week 2026, Vijay Kumar, Secretary of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, announced that India's ports are evolving into integrated logistics and industrial hubs, driven by public-private partnerships and global best practices. Since 2013-14, India's cargo handling capacity has surged from 1,400 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) to 2,771 MTPA, with ambitious targets of 3,500 MTPA by 2030 and 10,000 MTPA by 2047. In FY 2025-26, major ports handled over 915 million tonnes, marking a record growth of over 7% annually.

Kumar detailed the government's initiatives, including a ₹69,725-crore maritime revitalisation package aimed at enhancing shipbuilding capabilities. This includes the Shipbuilding Financial Assistance Scheme (SBFAS) with a corpus of ₹24,736 crore, and the Maritime Development Fund offering ₹25,000 crore for low-cost financing. Notably, Indian shipyards are participating actively in tenders, with 34 vessels already tendered, showcasing strong domestic capabilities.

Additionally, the development of green ports and vessels is a priority, aligning with global sustainability goals. Under the Green Hydrogen Mission, ports like Kandla, Paradip, and Tuticorin are being developed as green hydrogen hubs. Industry partners have secured around 3,400 acres at Kandla for green hydrogen and ammonia production facilities. Kumar emphasized that these developments are not just aspirations but backed by substantial policy and capital commitments.