Amit Shah in Mumbai: Union Home Minister to inaugurate India Maritime Week 2025 today; here's all you need to know

Union Home Minister Amit Shah will inaugurate the fiveday India Maritime Week IMW 2025 at the NESCO Exhibition Centre in Mumbai today and deliver the keynote address at the opening ceremonyAccording to the official IMW website the inaugural session will be attended by Union Minister of Ports Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal Minister of State Shantanu Thakur and Chief Ministers of key coastal states including Devendra Fadnavis Maharashtra Bhupendra Patel Gujarat Pramod Sawant Goa and Mohan Charan Majhi OdishaThe event will feature exhibitions panel discussions and interactive sessions focusing on opportunities in ports shipping logistics and maritime technology IMW 2025 aims to strengthen Indiarsquos position as a global maritime hub and promote collaboration innovation and policy dialogue in the maritime sectorMassive participation and investment prospectsMormugao Port Authority MPA Chairperson N Vinodkumar earlier announced that the authority will sign 24 Memorandums of Understanding MoUs worth Rs 3000 crore during the event The MoUs will include projects for berth renovation and solar power initiatives at the portWith participation expected from over 100 countries more than one lakh delegates and 500 exhibitors IMW 2025 is being described as a ldquoglobal catalyst for investment and innovationrdquo The event will also feature over 250 international speakers across sessions and investor roundtables highlighting Indiarsquos maritime growth potentialVinodkumar said IMW 2025 is poised to create investment opportunities worth over Rs 10 lakh crore reinforcing Indiarsquos maritime leadership under the Maritime India Vision 2030 and Amrit Kaal Maritime Vision 2047 Goa will also host a State Session during the event to showcase its maritime potentialAmit Shah to Distribute DeepSea Fishing Vessels at Mazagon DockLater in the day Amit Shah will also distribute stateoftheart DeepSea Fishing Vessels at Mazagon Dock Mumbai in the presence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar and Union Minister of State for Cooperation Murlidhar MoholAccording to the Ministry of Cooperation the initiative marks a historic milestone in cooperativeled deepsea fishing symbolising Indiarsquos commitment to sustainability and selfreliance in the fisheries sector The vessels are being distributed under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana PMMSY with each unit costing Rs 12 crore supported jointly by the Government of Maharashtra the National Cooperative Development Corporation NCDC and the Department of Fisheries Government of IndiaThe initiative aims to modernise Indiarsquos marine fisheries sector enhance deepsea fishing capacity and promote cooperativeled growth across coastal regions A Joint Working Group JWG has also been formed by the Departments of Fisheries and Cooperation to accelerate these initiatives through cooperatives and Fish Farmer Producer Organisations FFPOsTraditionally Indian fishermen have operated within 40ndash60 nautical miles from the coastline using conventional vessels The introduction of technologically advanced deepsea fishing vessels is expected to enable sustainable harvesting in Indiarsquos Exclusive Economic Zone EEZ and High Seas especially around Lakshadweep and the Andaman amp Nicobar IslandsThe new vessels will be equipped with advanced navigation and digital systems to enhance traceability safety and operational efficiency aligning Indiarsquos practices with global standards of responsible fishingEmphasising inclusive development the initiative also aims to empower womenled cooperatives and Fish Farmer Producer Organisations create employment opportunities in coastal areas and strengthen Indiarsquos Blue Economy It complements ongoing efforts under PMMSY and the Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund FIDF to improve coldchain facilities value addition and export competitivenessBy promoting sustainable fishing and cooperativeled growth the initiative seeks to bolster Indiarsquos seafood exports ensure food and nutritional security and support the longterm health of marine ecosystems