While speaking at India Maritime Week 2025 in Mumbai, Joshi, who also serves as Vice Chairman of the Islands Development Agency (IDA), emphasised that port development and coastal shipping are major drivers of India’s goal to achieve a USD 5 trillion economy
Lieutenant Governor Admiral D K Joshi (Retd). PIC/ X
Lieutenant Governor Admiral D K Joshi (Retd) on Monday said the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are emerging as India’s gateway to Southeast Asia and a key player in the global blue economy.
According to the news agency PTI, while speaking at India Maritime Week 2025 in Mumbai, Joshi, who also serves as Vice Chairman of the Islands Development Agency (IDA), emphasised that port development and coastal shipping are major drivers of India’s goal to achieve a USD 5 trillion economy.
“The Andaman and Nicobar Islands embody the spirit of adventure, sustainability, and digital transformation while positioning India as a maritime power in the Indo-Pacific,” he said.
As per PTI, Joshi noted the islands’ strategic location along global shipping lanes, underlining their growing importance in defence operations and maritime domain awareness. He also outlined plans to develop the region into a shipbuilding and repair hub in the Indo-Pacific.
Highlighting flagship projects, the Lieutenant Governor said the International Container Transhipment Terminal (ICTT) at Galathea Bay in Great Nicobar will be a “game changer.”
“The ICTT, recently notified as a major port, is poised to become one of India’s top three container-handling ports with a capacity of 16.5 million TEUs. It will also drive tourism and infrastructure growth in Great Nicobar,” he said.
Joshi added that the submarine optical fibre link between Chennai and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands has strengthened digital connectivity across more than 100 islands, boosting progress in fisheries, marine biodiversity, and renewable energy.
He further said that initiatives such as cruise tourism to Barren Island, e-ticketing for ship travel, Water Metro integration, and new passenger vessels are enhancing connectivity and improving services across the islands.
Maharashtra inks 15 MoUs worth Rs 56,000 crore at India Maritime Week 2025
Maharashtra Chief Minister (CM) Devendra Fadnavis on Monday announced that the state has signed 15 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) worth Rs 56,000 crore to boost maritime development.
According to the news agency PTI, while speaking at the India Maritime Week 2025, Fadnavis said the agreements span port expansion, shipyard development, technology upgrades, and allied maritime activities. He did not specify a timeline for implementation but expressed confidence that the investments would help make Maharashtra a “maritime superpower”.
“These 15 MoUs represent an investment of Rs 56,000 crore,” Fadnavis said, adding, “With these partnerships, we are taking concrete steps toward transforming Maharashtra into India’s leading maritime hub.”
Among the major agreements, one has been signed with the Adani Group for the expansion of Dighi Port and the development of a large industrial zone around it in collaboration with the Central government, PTI reported. The JSW Group has also committed to expanding its facilities at Jaigad Port, part of the state’s 700-km coastline, to strengthen integration with global supply chains.
(With PTI inputs)
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