Mormugao Port Authority hosts Grand ‘Roadshow’ Event ahead of ‘India Maritime Week 2025’
The roadshow was graced by Dr. Pramod Sawant, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Goa, who served as the Chief Guest. In his address, Dr. Sawant emphasized Goa’s maritime renaissance over the past five years, highlighting the modernization of Mormugao Port, development of inland waterways, and the upcoming state-of-the-art cruise terminal.
Addressing the gathering, CM said, “Goa is entering a new era of development—one that brings meaningful jobs and opportunities for our people. The transformation of the maritime sector will be a key driver, with increased cargo movement through Mormugao Port and a thriving cruise tourism industry contributing significantly to our economy. The revamped port is opening new doors for Goans, and the theme of this event could not be more timely.”
He added, “Goa remains fully committed to the growth of the state, the preservation of our environment, and to fostering long-term partnerships. We will continue to provide support at every stage of this journey. I urge leaders in the maritime sector and industry partners to come forward and contribute to this transformative vision.”
CM further said, “India Maritime Week 2025 will be a global event—an important leap toward Viksit Bharat. As India moves toward becoming a maritime leader, Goa stands as a proud and committed partner. Let this be a collective action, powered by the support of all stakeholders.”
A key highlight of the event was the panel discussion on “Smart Ports of the Future: How Digitization is Reshaping Global Maritime Trade,” moderated by Dr. Ranjit S. Patil from BITS Pilani Goa. The distinguished panel featured industry leaders including Shri Kiran Naik, Vice President – Head IT & Digital Solutions at JSW Infrastructure; Shri Pradeep Desai, Global Chief Technology Officer at DP World; Shri V J Christopher, Wireless Advisor at Department of Telecommunications; and Dr. D. Kumaran Raju, Principal Scientist at NTCPWC, IIT-M.
The panel deliberated on critical aspects of port digitization, including AI and machine learning integration, connectivity frameworks, cybersecurity challenges, and the role of emerging technologies like blockchain and IoT in redefining port operations.
Several distinguished guests including ministers addressed the gathering, outlining their commitment to maritime development.
Shri Mauvin Godinho, Hon’ble Minister for Transport & Industries, Trade and Commerce, highlighted the state’s commitment to multimodal logistics corridors, green shipping practices, and supporting maritime technology startups.
He added, “The maritime sector holds a pivotal role in India’s economic development. It is high time that the people of Goa and industry leaders come together to seize this opportunity. As a government, we are committed to acting as a catalyst—supporting infrastructure development and fostering collaboration across private and public sectors.”
He further said, “We are fortunate to have a vibrant youth force, and with their energy, combined with institutional support, success is within reach. Just as India has made remarkable strides in the space sector, we must now channel our efforts to elevate maritime to that level of excellence.”
Goa is a land of possibilities. With heart and soul, and the support of all stakeholders, we can shape a maritime future that is bold, inclusive, and globally competitive.”, the Minister added.
Shri Sadanand Shet Tanavade, Hon’ble MP (Rajya Sabha), emphasized the importance of community engagement and inclusive growth in maritime development. He highlighted recent achievements including the restoration of the Air India Goa-London Gatwick flight and stressed the need for resilient, sustainable port infrastructure.
Shri N. Muruganandam, Director General of DGLL, highlighted the organization’s extensive network of 203 major lighthouses, advanced navigation aids, and the National Automatic Identification System comprising 87 shore stations. He emphasized DGLL’s commitment to ensuring maritime safety across India’s 7,500-kilometer coastline.
The technical session featured four specialized presentations covering Goa State Maritime Master Plan, AI and Big Data applications in Vessel Traffic Management Systems, future Aids to Navigation technologies, and space-based AIS for maritime use cases.
Looking Ahead to IMW 2025
This roadshow serves as a crucial precursor to the India Maritime Week 2025 for which Grant Thornton Bharat LLP are the knowledge partners. The event is scheduled from October 27-31, 2025, in Mumbai at the NESCO Exhibition Centre. IMW 2025 is expected to witness participation from over 100 countries, 10,000 delegates, 500 exhibitors, and 1,00,000 attendees, making it a landmark event in the global maritime calendar.
The Goa roadshow successfully demonstrated the collaborative spirit between central and state governments, industry stakeholders, and academic institutions in driving India’s maritime transformation. The event reinforced India’s commitment to becoming a global maritime powerhouse through smart technology adoption, sustainable practices, and inclusive growth strategies.
The roadshow concluded with networking sessions that facilitated meaningful dialogue between government officials, industry leaders, and maritime professionals, setting the stage for continued collaboration toward achieving India’s maritime ambitions in the Amrit Kaal vision leading to 2047.
