INMEX SMM India 2025 Concludes on a High Note, Reinforcing Shipbuilding and Repair as Pillars of India’s Blue Economy

• INMEX SMM India 2025 concluded with 300 exhibiting brands, 5 international pavilions, and strong participation from 24 countries
• Building India’s Blue Economy: Shipbuilding & Repair as Growth Drivers set the tone, highlighting India’s role in driving maritime growth and sustainability.
• India’s maritime freight market, valued at USD 90 billion in 2024, is projected to reach USD

50.70 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 3.80% during 2025–2033.

• India Targets Top 10 Global Shipbuilding Rank by 2030, Backed by ₹25,000 Crore Maritime

Development Push

• Maharashtra Unveils India’s First Shipbuilding Policy to Drive ₹18,000 Crore Investments and

1.4 Lakh Jobs by 2047

• With Less Than 1% Share in Global Shipbuilding, India Charts Course to Join World’s Top 5 by

2047

24^th September 2025, Mumbai : Informa Markets in India, successfully concluded the 14th edition of INMEX SMM India 2025, South Asia’s premier maritime event at the Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai. The expo brought together global and domestic maritime stakeholders under the central theme “Building India’s Blue Economy: Shipbuilding & Repair as Growth Drivers”. With 300+ leading maritime brands, 30% increase as compared to last edition, 5 international pavilions, 120+ expert speakers, and 9,500+ visitors, increased by

15% as compared to last edition. INMEX SMM India 2025 continued to serve as a catalyst for knowledge exchange, strategic collaborations, and sustainable growth in South Asia’s maritime ecosystem.

The event was inaugurated in the presence of esteemed guests including Shri Nitesh Rane,

Hon’ble Minister of Fisheries & Ports Development, Government of Maharashtra; Shri. Shantanu Thakur, Hon’ble Minister of State, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Govt of India; Shri Shyam Jagannathan, Director General of Shipping, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways; Mr. Sabyasachi Hajara, Chairman, INMEX SMM India Advisory Board; Inspector General Bhisham Sharma, PTM, TM, Commander, Indian Coast Guard Region (West); Ms. Monica Nagelgaard, Consul General, Royal Norwegian Consulate General Mumbai; Mr. Ulas Boyaci, COO Exhibitions, Hamburg Messe und Congress GmbH and Mr. Yogesh Mudras, Managing Director, Informa Markets in India.

Shri Nitesh Rane, Hon’ble Minister of Fisheries & Ports Development, Govt of Maharashtra, said “Shipbuilding and repair have historically shaped maritime powers, and today more

than 95% of global shipbuilding is concentrated in Asia, led by China, Korea, and Japan, with India’s share still less than 1%. Guided by the Maritime India Vision 2030 and the Maritime Amritkal Vision 2047, India has set clear ambitions—to be among the top 10 shipbuilding nations by 2030 and the top 5 by 2047. The Government of India has reinforced this mission with initiatives such as the ₹25,000 crore Maritime Development Fund, the Shipbuilding Financial Assistance Policy 2.0 extended till 2036, incentives for green fuel vessels, infrastructure status for shipyards, and the right of first refusal for Indian-built ships. Maharashtra, as the gateway of India’s maritime trade with 877 km of coastline, two major ports, 16 non-major ports, and the upcoming Vadhavan Port, has taken a pioneering step by introducing India’s first Shipbuilding, Ship Repair, and Ship Recycling Policy 2025. The policy aims to contribute one-third of India’s shipbuilding and repair targets under MIV 2030 and MAKV 2047, with six planned shipyard clusters at Dighi, Jaigarh, Dabhol, Vijaydurg, Nandgaon, and Bankot, along with 11 stand-alone shipyards at strategic coastal locations. Key features include a 15% capital subsidy on project costs during execution, fiscal stimulus of up to ₹5 crore or 60% of project costs for infrastructure, R&D, and upskilling, and ₹1 crore or 50% of annual costs for workforce recycling and training. This framework is expected to unlock investments of over ₹18,000 crore and create more than 1.4 lakh jobs by 2047.

Complementing this, the state is also advancing initiatives such as policy frameworks for land management and waterfront allotment, DPRs for passenger water transport in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, and techno-economic feasibility studies for shipyard clusters.

Shri. Shantanu Thakur, Hon’ble Minister of State, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Govt of India, said “The Government of India, through the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and the Directorate General of Shipping, is committed to positioning India as a new hub for shipbuilding. He highlighted the nation’s clear goal of ranking among the top 10 maritime nations by 2030 and among the top 5 by 2047. He further added that shipbuilding and repair will serve as vital growth engines of India’s blue economy, generating employment, enhancing global competitiveness, and driving sustainability through green shipping initiatives and modernized infrastructure.”

Shri Shyam Jagannathan, Director General of Shipping, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, said “India’s strong economic momentum is evident with a GDP of 4.2 trillion dollars today and projections reaching between 26 and 35 trillion dollars in the coming decades. While the maritime sector currently contributes 4% to India’s GDP and just 1% of global tonnage, the vision is to raise its share to 12% of national GDP and advance from the 16th position globally to the 5th by 2047. Indian seafarers already represent 12% of the global workforce, with a goal to expand this to around 25%, making shipbuilding and repair central to this transformation. The government is strongly supporting this ambition through initiatives such as the Shipbuilding Finance Assistance Scheme, the Maritime Development Fund, shipbuilding and repair clusters, a national shipbuilding mission, the Shipbreaking Credit Note scheme, and upfront subsidies of up to 30 percent for non-conventional builds. Under Maritime India Vision and Amrit Kaal Vision, India is firmly on course to emerge as a global maritime superpower.”

Mr Sabyasachi Hajara, Chairman, INMEX SMM India Advisory Board, said “The Government of India has taken unprecedented measures to boost the maritime sector, including the establishment of a $3 billion Maritime Development Fund, with nearly 45% earmarked for shipbuilding and ship repair, and 20% for building Indian tonnage, alongside investments in port infrastructure and coastal shipping. While India currently accounts for about 1% of global tonnage with around 18 million deadweight and ranks 16th globally, these initiatives are expected to help the nation move into the top 10 maritime powers. Similarly, though India’s share in the $200 billion global shipbuilding industry is under 1%, the country is making remarkable strides in building green ships, reflecting its commitment to sustainable

growth and global competitiveness.”

Inspector General Bhisham Sharma, PTM, TM, Commander, Indian Coast Guard Region (West), said “With 11,000 kilometers of coastline, 1,300 islands, and a 2.3 million square kilometer exclusive economic zone, India’s vast maritime domain presents both immense opportunities and complex challenges, including piracy, smuggling, and environmental risks. As the fourth-largest Coast Guard in the world, the Indian Coast Guard has consistently safeguarded these waters—saving lives, averting ecological disasters through firefighting operations, and neutralizing narcotics consignments—true to its motto Vayam Rakshamah, We Protect. In this backdrop, INMEX SMM India emerges as a strategic platform, aligning operational imperatives with innovations in unmanned systems, AI-enabled surveillance, pollution mitigation, and advanced communication networks, while complementing the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s Amrit Kaal vision for advancing India’s blue economy.”

Ms Monica Nagelgaard, Consul General, Royal Norwegian Consulate General Mumbai, said, “Norway leads globally in maritime innovation, from LNG-powered vessels to battery, hydrogen, ammonia, and methanol technologies. India, with its extensive coastline, growing fleet, and trillion- dollar maritime investment plans, is a key partner in advancing the green transition.The India–EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement will further strengthen the synergy between Norway’s innovation and India’s scale, talent, and ambition, setting new benchmarks for sustainable maritime growth.”

Mr Ulas Boyaci, COO Exhibitions, Hamburg Messe und Congress GmbH, said “INMEX SMM India has established itself as South Asia’s premier maritime exhibition and conference, held in alternate years with SMM Hamburg, the world’s leading maritime trade fair. This year’s edition highlights a remarkable European presence with the Greek pavilion featuring 8 exhibitors, the Netherlands debuting with 10 specialized exhibitors, and Germany showcasing its largest-ever participation in India with eighteen exhibitors supported by the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy. Together, these initiatives reflect the growing strength of Europe–India collaboration and reinforce a shared commitment to innovation, sustainable growth, and long-term maritime partnerships.”

Mr. Yogesh Mudras, Managing Director, Informa Markets in India, said “India’s maritime sector is steadily emerging as a cornerstone of the nation’s growth story, with shipbuilding and repair positioned as pivotal drivers of the Blue Economy. A key enabler of this transformation is the increasing private sector participation, supported by progressive policies such as 100% FDI under the automatic route in shipping and shipbuilding. Public- private partnerships are also playing a defining role, with the government’s USD 82 billion investment plan to expand port capacity by 2035 marking a decisive step toward modernizing infrastructure. Simultaneously, India’s active participation in global initiatives such as the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) highlights its growing importance in securing strategic access to global trade routes and strengthening its role in the Global South. Against this backdrop, INMEX SMM India 2025 provides an unparalleled platform for collaboration, innovation, and dialogue—bringing together policymakers, global leaders, and industry stakeholders to shape the future of India’s maritime economy and ensure sustainable, technology-driven growth.”

Feature-Rich Experiences & Knowledge Platforms

Day 1 of the expo highlighted shipbuilding and repair as the foundation of India’s maritime growth. The sessions began with an insightful presentation on The Growth and Challenges of the Shipbuilding Industry in India: Opportunities for Innovation and Expansion by Shri Madhu

1. Nair, CMD, Cochin Shipyard Ltd., followed by Shri Arjun Chowgule, Executive Director, Chowgule & Company. Industry partners also contributed significantly, with Accelleron presenting on Harnessing Data to Power Maritime Decarbonisation. A key panel discussion on Ship Repair and Maintenance in the Global Maritime Industry: Enhancing Efficiency, Reducing Turnaround Time, and Adopting New Technologies featured experts including Shri Biju George, Director, Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd; Shri Shantanu Bose, Director, Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd; and Shri Rajesh Gopalakrishnan, Executive Director (Ship Repair), Cochin Shipyard Ltd. The Impact of Government Policies on Shipbuilding and Repair in India: A Decade of Progress and What Lies Ahead was analysed by Shri Nebu Oommen, Deputy Chief Ship Surveyor/DDG Tech, Directorate General of Shipping. Sessions also spotlighted Accelerating India’s Shipbuilding Ambitions through Smart Docking and Launching Technologies, Indigenising Marine Systems & Equipment: Enabling Self-Reliance in India’s Shipbuilding Ecosystem, and Skilled Workforce Development for Shipbuilding and Repair: Addressing Skill Gaps and Training Needs in India.

 

Day 2 shifted the focus to maritime infrastructure, decarbonisation, and innovation. The day started with a presentation on Coastal Shipping 2.0 – Transforming India’s Maritime, highlighting its potential to reshape coastal trade and logistics. Subsequent panel discussions explored Pathways to Energy Efficiency and Green Fuels in Existing Ships, Advancements in Ship Design: Innovations for the Future, and Automation and Innovation – Charting the Course for the Future of Maritime Innovation. Sessions on Maritime Law & Policy – Navigating Global Compliance & Trade and Innovations in Ship Recycling: Paving the Way for a Circular Maritime Economy underlined India’s positioning in sustainable shipping. A highlight of the day was Women at the Helm – Steering the Maritime Industry into the Future, which spotlighted women leaders driving transformation across the maritime ecosystem.

Day 3 highlighted maritime security and trade, beginning with a thought-provoking panel on Smart Maritime Logistics – Streamlining Supply Chains for Resilient Global Trade. This was followed by the presentation of Mr Aditya Kumar Sinha, Executive Director (C-DAC) and CEO of the Maritime Digital Centre of Excellence (MDCoE), Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways elaborating on how digitalization is shaping India’s maritime future. The role of Youth as Changemakers in the Maritime Industry showcased the next generation’s vision for the sector. A critical discussion on Maritime Cybersecurity: Protecting Critical Infrastructure highlighted vulnerabilities and solutions in an increasingly digital environment.

Strong Industry & Association Support

The event was strengthened by the support of leading industry bodies, including the Shipyard Association of India, International Ship Engineering Service Association (ISES), Institute of Marine Engineers India, Foreign Owners Representatives and Ship Managers Association (FOSMA), Indian National Shipowners’ Association (INSA), Emirates Shipping Association, Netherlands Maritime Technology, VDMA Power Systems, the Maritime Association of Shipowners, Ship Managers and Agents (MASSA), the Busan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Enterprise Greece, and HEMEXPO—highlighting the platform’s credibility and industry-wide reach. Key exhibitors participated were Chowgule & Company (SBD), Colombo Dockyard Ltd, Marine Electrical, DYNAMICNORD GmbH, Volvo Penta, Wilhelmsen, Henkel, Synergy Shipbuilders, Class NK and many more.

A major highlight of INMEX SMM India 2025 was its three-day power-packed conference including the Maritime Leaders’ Forum and CTO Conclave addressing strategic growth, green shipping, automation, and AI. Dedicated sessions were also spotlighting skill development, seafarer wellness, and women in maritime leadership. On the exhibition floor, international pavilions from the Netherlands, Germany, Korea, and Greece, along with a Domestic Shipyard Pavilion, were showcasing advanced shipbuilding and repair capabilities. Adding to the momentum, the Maritime Excellence Awards honoured industry stalwarts and change makers driving innovation, sustainability, and growth.

Industry Overview

India’s maritime and shipping sector is witnessing significant momentum, driven by strong policy support and rising investments. The Union Budget 2025–26 extended the Shipbuilding Financial Assistance Policy (SBFAP) 2.0 with an outlay of Rs. 18,090 crore (US$ 2.08 billion), providing subsidies to Indian shipyards to reduce costs and enhance domestic competitiveness. To strengthen Inland Water Transport (IWT), the government introduced the “Jalvahak” Cargo Promotion Scheme in December 2024, offering 35% reimbursement on operational costs and initiating scheduled cargo services along key national waterways. In parallel, Sagarmala 2.0 has been launched with Rs. 40,000 crore (US$ 4.64 billion) support to drive shipbuilding, repair, breaking, and recycling, aiming to attract Rs. 12 lakh crore (US$ 139.11 billion) in investments over the next decade. Additionally, in FY25, 962 acres of land were allocated for port-led industrialization, with potential to generate Rs. 7,565 crore (US$ 887.80 million) and future investments. Reflecting this progress, India’s maritime freight market, valued at USD 34.90 billion in 2024, is projected to reach USD 50.70 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 3.80% during 2025–2033.

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About Informa Markets and our business in India

Informa Markets is owned by Informa PLC, a leading B2B information services group and the largest B2B Events organizer in the world. Informa Markets in India (formerly UBM India) is India’s leading exhibition organizer, dedicated to help specialist markets and customer communities, domestically and around the world to trade, innovate and grow through exhibitions, digital content & services, and conferences & seminars. Every year, we host over 25 large-scale exhibitions, and 40 conferences, along with industry awards and training across the country: thereby enabling trade across multiple industry verticals. In India, Informa Markets has offices in Mumbai and New Delhi.

Festivity of Business: A Billion Strong. Celebrating Business. Powering Trillion-Dollar Opportunities Informa Markets in India celebrates the 6th edition of the Festivity of Business—a 100-day campaign encompassing 28 high-profile events including 16 expos, 5 conferences, and 7 awards shows across the country till the end of the year. In an era of shifting global headwinds, India stands as a strategic engine of growth with 1.4 billion people and an economy projected to reach $5 trillion by 2027. As India’s leading business enabler, Informa Markets in India embodies the essence of relationships and collaboration that also define the country’s vibrant festivals. The Festivity of Business campaign aims to transform exhibitions into celebrations of unlimited potential as it connects visionaries and industry leaders to shape tomorrow’s economic landscape.