Last Updated on September 24, 2025 1:07 am by BIZNAMA NEWS
By S.N. Verma
India’s history of economic and cultural prosperity is deeply intertwined with the sea. Long before the rise of Western civilization, the Indian subcontinent was shaping maritime trade and navigation. Archaeological evidence indicates that the world’s first tidal port was established around 2300 BCE during the Harappan civilization at Lothal, near the present-day port of Mangrol on Gujarat’s coast. Indian mythology and ancient texts are replete with references to oceans, seas, and rivers, reflecting the longstanding reliance of human society on maritime resources. Over centuries, Indian literature, art, sculpture, and archaeology have preserved evidence of a rich maritime tradition.
From ancient times, India dominated the Indian Ocean, establishing trade routes that connected it to distant regions. During the Mauryan period, India’s maritime commerce extended to Southeast Asia, linking the subcontinent with Thailand, the Malaysian peninsula, Cambodia, and southern Vietnam. Mauryan maritime activities laid the foundation for trade with Indonesia and neighboring islands, fostering cultural exchange and economic integration. By the 16th century, India’s sea routes had become vital corridors for trade, culture, and diplomacy.
In the modern era, India is recognized as the world’s 16th largest maritime nation, with domestic maritime transport accounting for 95 percent of trade by volume and 68 percent by value. The country is a global leader in ship recycling, responsible for nearly 30 percent of the world’s ship-breaking market, and hosts the world’s largest ship-breaking facility in Alang, Gujarat. As of December 2021, India’s merchant fleet had a gross tonnage of 13,011,000, representing 1.2 percent of the global fleet by capacity.
To strengthen its maritime infrastructure, the Indian government launched the ambitious Sagar Mala program in 2017, aimed at promoting port-led development and logistics-intensive industries. India currently operates 12 major ports and over 200 non-major or intermediate ports, administered by state governments. The Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust is the largest major port, while Mundra Port leads among private ports.
Maritime transport is a cornerstone of global trade, enabling the bulk movement of commodities such as oil, grain, and manufactured goods. With waterborne transport accounting for approximately 75 percent of international trade, access to deepwater ports and efficient shipping networks is critical for economic competitiveness. Over 4,500 deep-water ports exist worldwide today, underscoring the strategic importance of maritime infrastructure.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has emphasized the role of the sea in driving India’s economic growth. In Bhavnagar, he inaugurated projects worth thousands of crores of rupees and laid the foundation for port-led development initiatives, including the International Cruise Terminal in Mumbai, aimed at boosting tourism. Highlighting India’s over-reliance on foreign shipping, he noted that the share of trade carried on Indian-flagged vessels has declined from 40 percent fifty years ago to just 5 percent today, costing the nation nearly $75 billion annually in shipping fees.
To reverse this trend, the government has taken historic measures to revitalize the shipbuilding sector. Large ships are now recognized as infrastructure, facilitating easier access to bank loans and interest rate concessions. Over ₹70,000 crore is planned for new financial schemes to support domestic shipbuilding. These measures aim to position India as a global maritime power and restore self-reliance in shipping.
New ports are also under construction to enhance India’s trade capacity. The country inaugurated its first deep-water container transshipment port in Kerala, while the Vadhavan Port in Maharashtra, with an investment of over ₹75,000 crore, is expected to become one of the world’s top ten ports.
India is today among the top three countries in supplying skilled seafarers, providing employment opportunities to its youth and strengthening its global maritime influence. As the shipping and port sectors expand, India’s coastline is set to reclaim its historic role as a gateway to prosperity, ensuring the country’s continued economic growth and global maritime prominence.
