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.

South Korea’s HD Hyundai is advancing plans to establish a major shipbuilding facility in India after signing an exclusive agreement with the Tamil Nadu government. The proposed shipyard, estimated to involve a USD 2 billion investment, is still under evaluation. Aligned with India’s ambition to become a leading maritime manufacturing hub, the project could position Tamil Nadu—particularly Thoothukudi—as a key shipbuilding centre. HD Hyundai has also strengthened its India presence through partnerships with BEML and Cochin Shipyard, spanning commercial and naval shipbuilding.

India and Russia signed key maritime and transport MoUs during the 23rd India-Russia annual summit to strengthen cooperation across strategic shipping corridors, including the International North-South Transport Corridor, the Vladivostok-Chennai maritime route and the Northern Sea Route. The agreements focus on enhancing logistics connectivity, shipbuilding cooperation and training Indian seafarers for polar navigation. Signed during President Vladimir Putin’s December 4 visit, the MoUs aim to build maritime expertise, boost infrastructure capacity and deepen long-term maritime, transport and strategic collaboration between the two nations.

Vizhinjam International Seaport has become India’s fastest port to cross the one-million-TEU mark, achieving the milestone within just 10 months of operations. Developed by Adani Ports and APSEZ with the Kerala Government, the deep-water port handled 1.32 million TEUs in its first year, hosting 615 vessel calls, including a record number of ultra-large container ships. India’s first semi-automated terminal, Vizhinjam combines advanced technology, natural depth, and strategic location to emerge as a leading global transshipment hub.

At the 10th convocation of the Indian Maritime University in Chennai, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal congratulated 2,196 graduates and highlighted a decade of major maritime reforms. He noted port modernization that cut turnaround time to 0.9 days, nine Indian ports ranking globally, and major projects like the ₹76,000-crore Vadhavan port. Cargo movement through waterways and coastal shipping has surged, supported by the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047. Sonowal emphasized rising shipbuilding investment, a doubling of India’s seafarer pool, and expanding job opportunities in a rapidly growing maritime sector.