Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal joined the Golden Jubilee Celebration of the New Mangalore Port Authority (NMPA) at Mangaluru, marking 50 years of its service as one of India’s leading maritime gateways. The event also witnessed the inauguration, dedication and foundation stone laying of 16 key infrastructure projects and 113 CSR initiatives worth ₹1,500 crore.

The celebration highlighted the remarkable journey of NMPA and its transformation under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, from a regional gateway into a technologically advanced and globally competitive maritime hub.

“This Golden Jubilee is not merely the celebration of an institution; it is the celebration of a vision,” said Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, while addressing the gathering. “The vision of an Atmanirbhar Bharat under the leadership of our Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji stands tall on the strength of India’s maritime heritage and sails confidently toward a future of innovation, prosperity, and global leadership.”

At the recently concluded India Maritime Week 2025 in Mumbai, MoUs worth over ₹12 lakh crore were signed across India’s maritime sector, of which ₹52,000 crore were by NMPA. “This is a strong signal of the rising confidence of investors in the transformed maritime ecosystem of our nation,” Shri Sarbananda Sonowal said.

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal also inaugurated the newly renovated campus of Mangalore Marine College and Technology (MMCT) calling it a milestone in India’s journey toward becoming a top three maritime nation.

Addressing cadets, faculty, and maritime industry representatives, Shri Sonowal said India’s maritime transformation under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been anchored in a vision of sustainability, innovation, and global leadership.

“Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji has often said — the oceans connect us to the world, and the future of India’s growth is anchored in its maritime strength,” Sarbananda Sonowal said. “Under his visionary leadership, India is charting a new course to emerge among the top three maritime nations of the world.”

The Minister also inaugurated the new ₹9.51 crore office building of the Mercantile Marine Department (MMD), Mangalore, built on land allotted by NMPA. The facility will conduct competency examinations for seafarers from Karnataka and neighbouring states, easing their travel burden for documentation and certification.

Shri Sonowal praised MMCT for its role in maritime education, noting its world-class infrastructure, simulators, and ship-in-campus training. “Institutes like MMCT are shaping high-quality maritime professionals and exemplify the spirit of Skill India and Make in India,” Sonowal said.

Shri Sonowal commended Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) — the world’s largest container shipping line — for its collaboration with MMCT. MSC operates more than 900 vessels, has 18,000 Indian seafarers, and handles 2.5 million TEUs of EXIM traffic from India annually. “MSC’s partnership with MMCT ensures global-standard training and opportunities for young Indian mariners,” Sonowal noted.

Tracing the port’s five-decade journey, the Union Minister said that from its modest beginnings in 1975 with four berths and 90,000 tonnes of cargo, NMPA has grown into a powerhouse of progress with 16 berths and a Single Point Mooring facility, handling over 46 million tonnes of cargo annually. The port, with a usable capacity of 74 million tonnes, aims to reach 100 million tonnes by 2047.

Sarbananda Sonowal noted that NMPA has become India’s largest exporter of coffee and second-largest importer of LPG, with 92% mechanisation of its operations, which has enhanced logistics efficiency and safety while promoting ease of doing business. The port serves as a critical node for industries in Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu, and its growing role in cruise tourism has revitalised local economies through tourism, hospitality, and small-scale enterprises.

Shri Sonowal emphasised NMPA’s commitment to sustainability, noting that it has become 100% solar powered, adopted digital systems to minimise environmental impact, and launched the Harit Cargo Concession Policy to position itself as a green logistics hub. “NMPA’s green initiatives exemplify India’s resolve for sustainable growth and maritime innovation,” Sonowal said.

During the ceremony, the Union Minister inaugurated multiple infrastructure and CSR projects worth ₹1,500 crore, including a 150-bed multi-specialty hospital built under the PPP model—the first of its kind among India’s major ports. The hospital will provide healthcare services to port employees and nearby communities, including coverage under Ayushman Bharat.

Highlighting India’s forward-looking maritime agenda, Sarbananda Sonowal said that under Maritime India Vision 2030 (MIV 2030) and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 (MAKV 2047), ports across the country are being modernised to drive global competitiveness, green transition, and coastal development. “The Narendra Modi government has provided India with two futuristic maritime blueprints—MIV 2030 and MAKV 2047—guiding our nation toward global maritime leadership,”  Shri Sonowal said.

The Minister added that NMPA’s 2047 Master Plan envisions doubling its cargo handling capacity, achieving carbon neutrality, and positioning Mangaluru as a major logistics and cruise tourism hub for South India. The port also plans to develop deep draft terminals, LNG infrastructure, and a new outer harbour cruise terminal with seaplane and heli-taxi facilities.

In Karnataka, 32 projects worth ₹6,526 crore are being implemented under the Sagarmala Programme, along with eight additional projects worth ₹420.89 crore. Over 960 acres of port land have been allocated for port-led industries, which are expected to generate ₹7,500 crore in annual revenue and attract ₹68,000 crore in investments, boosting employment and regional growth. He emphasised Karnataka’s strategic importance, with its 320-km coastline, New Mangalore Port, and 12 minor ports, calling it a rising maritime hub of South India.

“Our maritime growth story is not just about ships and cargo; it is about people—our fishermen, entrepreneurs, and coastal communities,” Sarbananda Sonowal said, highlighting government initiatives such as Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana and Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana, which are helping empower youth, women, and traditional seafaring families.

As the event concluded, the Union Minister paid tribute to all visionaries, leaders, administrators, employees, and workers who have contributed to the port’s success over the past five decades. “May the New Mangalore Port continue to shine as a jewel of the western coast, guiding India toward a prosperous and self-reliant maritime future,” Sonowal said.

The Minister also referenced the success of India Maritime Week 2025, inaugurated last month by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, with participation from 88 countries, 11 global ministers, and over 100,000 delegates. “The event saw MoUs worth over ₹12 lakh crore signed, showcasing the world’s confidence in India’s maritime leadership,” Sonowal said.

Calling this the “golden era of India’s maritime resurgence,” Shri Sonowal urged young cadets to seize the moment, “As our dynamic Prime Minister Modi ji says — Yahi samay hai, sahi samay hai. Work hard and take full advantage of this golden opportunity to contribute to building a Viksit Bharat and an Atmanirbhar Bharat. These are clear indicators of our Prime Minister’s steadfast commitment to maritime transformation. Our investment potential in the sector exceeds ₹80 lakh crore and is expected to generate over 1.5 crore jobs in the coming years.”

Sarbananda Sonowal highlighted that India is now the third-largest seafaring nation, contributing nearly 15% of the global workforce, with the number of Indian seafarers rising from 1.08 lakh in 2014 to over 3.2 lakh today. “By 2030, one in every five global seafarers will be an Indian,” he added. Sonowal concluded by inviting global partners to register ships under the Indian flag, invest in ports & shipyards, expand shipboard training for Indian cadets.

The Union Minister said that the government’s Maritime India Vision 2030 and Maritime Amritkaal Vision 2047 serve as blueprints for modernisation, with more than 300 actionable initiatives to strengthen ports, logistics, inland waterways, and green shipping.

Shri Sonowal highlighted key milestones achieved over the past 11 years under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, noting that India’s maritime sector has undergone a remarkable transformation. He cited the launch of the ₹76,000 crore Vadhvan Port Project—poised to become one of the world’s 10 largest ports—the establishment of hydrogen hubs, and the introduction of green port and vessel guidelines under the Harit Sagar and Harit Nauka frameworks. He also pointed to a 700% surge in inland cargo movement, a 200% rise in coastal shipping, and a dramatic reduction in vessel turnaround time from four days to less than one, outperforming countries such as the United States and Germany. Cruise tourism, he said, has expanded nearly fivefold—from 84,000 passengers in 2014 to almost 500,000 last year—while India’s port capacity has doubled from 1,400 MTPA to 2,700 MTPA, and Indian-flagged tonnage has grown from 10 MGT to 13.52 MGT.

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, along with MP Brijesh Chowta, former MP and former BJP State President Nalin Kumar Kateel, MLAs Dr. Bharath Shetty and D. Vedavyasa Kamath, Director General of Shipping Shyam Jagannathan, NMPA Chairman Dr. Venkata Raman Akkaraju, and Deputy Chairman S. Shanthi graced the Golden Jubilee Celebration of the NMPA.

Member of Parliament Brijesh Chowta, MLA Dr. Bharath Shetty, Director General of Shipping Shyam Jagannathan, Additional Director General of Shipping Sushil Khopde, MSC Crewing Services Managing Director Capt. M. P. Bhasin, Panchayat President Vanitha, and CMC Group of Institutions Chairman and Founder S. I. Nathan were among the dignitaries who attended the MMCT event.

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