Maharashtra is accelerating its maritime ambitions, with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis directing officials to fast-track development of what is planned to be India’s largest shipyard, leveraging the state’s coastline and the proposed deep-draft Vadhavan Port. He also called for expediting DPR preparation and coastal connectivity to meet a 2026 target. In parallel, Fadnavis pushed for rapid rollout of the Mumbai Water Metro, envisaged as a modern, largely electric water transport system, reinforcing Maharashtra’s bid to emerge as a national maritime and shipbuilding hub.

CMA CGM’s Nhava Sheva Freeport Terminal has introduced a series of operational measures to tackle persistent landside congestion at JNPA, India’s largest container port. The terminal has focused on improving gate productivity, streamlining truck processing and optimising yard operations to stabilise turnaround times. Enhanced coordination with transporters and better slot management aim to manage peak-hour traffic more efficiently. With Nhava Sheva handling a major share of India’s container trade, easing congestion is critical to reducing delays, controlling logistics costs and maintaining supply chain reliability.

India has inducted its first fully indigenous hydrogen fuel cell passenger vessel into commercial service on the Ganga in Varanasi, marking a milestone in green inland water transport. Owned by IWAI and built by Cochin Shipyard Limited, the 24-metre catamaran was flagged off at Namo Ghat and can carry about 50 passengers. Powered by a hydrogen fuel cell, batteries and solar panels, it offers eight hours of zero-emission operation, positioning Varanasi as India’s first city with hydrogen-powered river transport.

DP World has launched a new twice-weekly EXIM rail service linking Powarkheda in Madhya Pradesh with the Nhava Sheva container terminal, improving the state’s access to global and domestic markets. Operating from DP World’s multimodal Powarkheda logistics hub, the service integrates rail, warehousing, cold storage and bonded facilities to cut transit times, costs and emissions. The hub supports agri, food and industrial cargo, offers value-added services, and enables three-day connectivity from central India to India’s busiest container port.

The Karnataka government has initiated the tender process to mechanise and manage berths at Old Mangalore, Malpe and Karwar ports through a PPP model under the ROMT framework, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal told the Lok Sabha on December 5. The State has also proposed PPP-based development of Honnavar Port, with all clearances secured. Additional port projects include a ₹4,118-crore JSW-led greenfield port, new port proposals at Pavinakurve and Manki, and upgrades to Malpe Fishing Harbour under PMMSY.