Mumbai – In a stirring address at the 12th Biennial International Conference on Ports, Shipping & Logistics 2025, Union Minister of Commerce & Industry Piyush Goyal spotlighted the indispensable role of India’s ports, shipping, and logistics sectors in driving the nation’s economic engine. Speaking against the backdrop of a rapidly globalizing trade landscape, Goyal’s vision resonates strongly with the aspirations of a burgeoning middle class eager for stability and prosperity.
Goyal, who served as the chief guest at the conference, painted a vibrant picture of India’s maritime future. “Our ports, shipping, and logistics are not just infrastructural elements—they are the lifelines that connect our vast internal markets to global opportunities,” he declared. With 95 percent of India’s trade volume flowing through its ports, the minister emphasized that the country’s impressive 7,500 km coastline is a strategic asset that holds untapped potential.
One of the cornerstones of Goyal’s address was the nation’s flourishing shipbuilding industry. While India has historically been known for its maritime prowess, the government is now poised to reignite its shipbuilding potential. The minister urged industry stakeholders to present innovative recommendations to make Indian flagging more attractive. “India has the unique advantage of permitting cabotage and promoting imports through Indian-flagged vessels under WTO rules,” he noted. Yet, the challenge remains: India does not have enough flagged vessels to fully harness this opportunity. The call for collaboration at both the state and central levels is an invitation to transform potential into tangible economic benefit.
Underlining India’s impressive progress in port infrastructure, Goyal highlighted that over the past decade, the country has doubled its port capacity and achieved significant reductions in ship turnaround times. However, he acknowledged that these achievements are only the beginning. With trade volumes soaring, there is an urgent need to bolster the logistics ecosystem further. “Streamlined logistics not only ensure faster exports but also ease congestion and reduce operational bottlenecks at our ports,” he explained.
A key initiative in this pursuit is the Unified Logistics Interface Platform (ULIP), introduced to synchronize various logistics operations across the country. The platform represents a forward leap toward an integrated logistics framework, which, as Goyal stressed, should be continually refined with industry-led innovations. Such advancements are poised to set India apart in the global shipping arena, ensuring that trade flows remain smooth even amidst unpredictable international market fluctuations.
Beyond infrastructure and technology, Goyal’s address also turned to human capital, emphasizing the need for a skilled maritime workforce. In a nod to the challenges and opportunities of modern seafaring, he proposed a hybrid training model designed to meet the growing demand for competent seafarers. This initiative is critical not only for maintaining operational excellence but also for empowering the workforce that underpins India’s maritime ambitions.
Adding a fascinating layer to the discourse, the minister touched upon the future of container operations. From container ownership and manufacturing to faster export processes, Goyal identified these as key areas ripe for innovation. Improved systems in these domains could dramatically cut down delays and congestion, thereby boosting overall efficiency and reinforcing India’s status as a maritime powerhouse.
In an era marked by global trade uncertainties, Union Minister Goyal’s confidence in India’s economic resilience is both refreshing and inspiring. His address, rich in forward-thinking strategies and grounded in actionable recommendations, positions India as a beacon of stability and growth. For the middle-class reader, who often seeks stories of progress and hope, this vision promises that the future of Indian trade and industry is not only secure but also vibrant with opportunities.
Goyal’s stirring call to action encapsulates the essence of a ‘Viksit Bharat’—a developed India where the confluence of maritime strength and logistics innovation propels the nation toward unprecedented economic heights. As the country stands at the threshold of a new era in maritime trade, the road ahead is not just about ships and ports but about the collective ambition of a nation ready to sail into a prosperous future.
