Mumbai: The Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB) showcased investment opportunities in the state’s port, shipbuilding, ship-repair and marine manufacturing sectors at a stakeholder meeting in Mumbai on August 19. The event brought together investors, port operators, shipbuilders, financial institutions and other maritime industry representatives.
The meeting, titled “Stakeholder Meet – Ports and Shipyards Development in Gujarat,” was held at Taj Santacruz and focused on projects being offered through Expressions of Interest (EoIs). Around 200 stakeholders participated, including representatives from more than 15 international organisations.
Six Greenfield Ports and Four Shipyards on Offer
The Gujarat Maritime Board presented investment opportunities involving:
- 6 greenfield ports
- 4 shipyards
- Port development and supporting infrastructure
- Shipbuilding and ship-repair opportunities
- Marine manufacturing projects
- The proposed Mega Shipbuilding Cluster at Kuchadi
Read Also: Gujarat Launches Shipbuilding and Ship Repair Policy 2026 to Become India’s Leading Maritime Hub
GMB’s official policy platform also lists dedicated infrastructure categories for greenfield ports, shipyards and ship-recycling yards, alongside its 2026 guidelines for shipbuilding and repair.
Gujarat Targets 3,000 MMTPA Port Capacity by 2047
The stakeholder meet forms part of Gujarat’s stated maritime development plans, with the state targeting more than 3,000 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA) of port capacity by 2047.
The discussions covered the development of next-generation ports and expansion of the shipbuilding and marine manufacturing ecosystem.
International Maritime Stakeholders Participate
The meeting also saw participation from international representatives, including the Consuls General of Indonesia, Italy and Norway, along with representatives associated with Singapore, the Port of Rotterdam and the Republic of Korea.
The gathering also included investors, maritime companies, financial institutions and infrastructure developers exploring the projects presented by GMB.
Panel Discussions Focus on Ports and Shipbuilding
The inaugural session featured an address by Dr. Ajay Kumar, a 2006-batch, IAS officer of the Gujarat cadre, Vice Chairman and CEO, Gujarat Maritime Board, who outlined Gujarat’s maritime growth story and the state’s next phase of maritime expansion.
Shri Hareet Shukla, a 1999-batch IAS officer of the Gujarat cadre, Principal Secretary, Ports and Transport Department, Government of Gujarat, spoke on policy continuity, investor confidence and Gujarat’s PPP-led maritime development model. Shri Shyam Jagannathan, a 1997-batch IAS officer of the Assam-Meghalaya cadre, Director General of Shipping, also addressed the gathering, highlighting the opportunities and potential in Gujarat’s maritime sector.
Two panel sessions were held during the event.
Investing in Gujarat’s Next-Generation Ports
The first session focused on:
- Greenfield port development
- Shipbuilding ecosystem
- Supporting infrastructure
- Investment opportunities
Emerging Shipbuilding and Marine Manufacturing
The second session examined opportunities in:
- Shipbuilding
- Marine manufacturing
- Financing
- Industrial ecosystem development
The event also included business-to-government (B2G) meetings and networking sessions, allowing prospective investors to discuss project opportunities and investment processes with GMB officials and other stakeholders.
Gujarat Highlights Maritime Policy Framework
GMB’s current policy framework includes the Gujarat Shipbuilding and Repair Policy 2026, along with provisions and policies covering port development, shipyards, private participation and related maritime infrastructure.
The stakeholder meet provided a platform for the Gujarat Maritime Board to present these investment opportunities directly to prospective investors and maritime-sector stakeholders.
