By 2047, India will be among the top five shipping centres in the world says 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘂 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗸𝘂𝗿, Union 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲, 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗣𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗵𝗶𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀, addressing the 𝗖𝗜𝗜 𝗘𝗫𝗜𝗠 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 on 26 February 2026 in Kolkata.
He also stated, “India stands at a decisive position, and export competitiveness will be a strong pillar in the days to come. India’s capacity in cargo handling has increased significantly, and inland waterways, shipbuilding, and ports are essential for building a strong economy"
As of early 2025, India's major ports have a cargo handling capacity exceeding 1,600 Million Tonnes Per Annum (MTPA), reaching approximately 2,760 MTPA including non-major ports. Major ports handled around 855 million tonnes in FY 2024-25, showcasing improved efficiency and a 4.3% annual growth.
Earlier the CII Eastern Region 𝗘𝗫𝗜𝗠 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 commenced with an Inaugural Session graced by Shantanu Thakur, Union Minister of State, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways; Mr Shashwat Goenka, Chairman, CII Eastern Region and Vice Chairman, RPSG Group; Mr Aung Myo Thein, Consul General, Consulate General of Myanmar; Mr Sandeep Kumar, Chairman – CII ER International Trade Subcommittee and Vice President Raw Materials, Tata Steel Ltd and Mr Sumit Goyal, Co-Chairman – CII ER International Trade Subcommittee and President, Patton International Ltd.
The session also witnessed the Release of the Joint Report by CII and DGCI&S on the Exports Scenario of the Eastern Region, setting a strong and strategic tone for advancing the region’s export competitiveness.
𝗦𝗵𝗮𝘀𝗵𝘄𝗮𝘁 𝗚𝗼𝗲𝗻𝗸𝗮, 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻, 𝗖𝗜𝗜 𝗘𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗩𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻, 𝗥𝗣𝗦𝗚 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽, also addressed the 𝗖𝗜𝗜 𝗘𝗫𝗜𝗠 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 on 26 February 2026 in Kolkata, and highlighted the region’s growing trade contribution, stating that global trade serves as a key engine of economic growth. Emphasising the region’s strategic importance in export–import activity, he noted that the region serves as India’s gateway to Southeast Asia and the broader Indo-Pacific. He also stated that Eastern India’s proximity to neighbouring countries provides unique opportunities for cross-border trade and regional value chains.
