Bhavna Pimpale –
Mumbai’s Ballard Pier Downtown Experience Centre witnessed a landmark occasion on October 2, 2026, as The Shipping Corporation of India Limited (SCI) celebrated its 65th anniversary. Gracing the press conference were Mr Sarbananda Sonowal, Hon’ble Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Government of India; Mr Nitesh Narayan Rane, Hon’ble Cabinet Minister of Fisheries and Ports Development, Government of Maharashtra; Mr Shyam Jagannathan, IAS, Director General of Maritime Administration (DGMA) and Additional Secretary to the Government of India; Mr Mukesh Mangal, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways; and Captain Binesh Kumar Tyagi, Chairman and Managing Director of SCI.
While addressing the press and fielding questions, Mr Sonowal outlined India’s ambitious maritime roadmap with clarity and conviction.
He reflected on the sector’s transformation over the past twelve years, crediting the Prime Minister’s policies for instilling self‑reliance and confidence. “By 2047, India should become one of the top five shipbuilding nations in the world,” he declared, emphasizing expansion plans to raise shipbuilding capacity from 14 million to 19 million under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
The minister outlined ambitious targets: port handling capacity of 10,000 million metric tons and cruise passenger traffic exceeding 50 million annually by 2047. He pointed to the Sagarmala program’s modernization drive, which has propelled Indian ports into the global top 100 rankings. “India is shining in every way, particularly in ports, shipping, and waterways,” Sonowal affirmed.
Responding to a reporter’s question on SCI’s performance, Mr Sonowal highlighted the corporation’s robust financials. He noted profits after tax crossing ₹1,326 crores last year and ₹600 crores in the first quarter of this fiscal, with projections suggesting SCI could surpass ₹2,000 crores in profits this year. He added that strategic joint ventures with petroleum companies and collaborations with CONCOR and major ports are set to add 34 vessels and 51 container ships to SCI’s fleet, strengthening India’s shipping capabilities.
Reporters pressed Mr Sonowal further on key projects. On the Bharat Container Shipping Line, he confirmed budgetary provisions of over ₹10,000 crores to spur domestic container manufacturing, with final products expected soon. Regarding the Vadhavan Port project, he described it as a future global hub with capacity for 23.3 million TEUs annually and over 300 million metric tons of bulk cargo. Located 150 km from Mumbai, the port will be supported by new road and rail connectivity, creating jobs and even a new city.
Addressing geopolitical concerns like the Strait of Hormuz, he assured resilience: “Whatever the global situation, under the Prime Minister’s leadership, India will handle threats effectively and ensure uninterrupted energy and fertilizer supplies.”
In conclusion, Mr Sonowal left the audience with a clear message of confidence and resolve. “By Amrit Kaal 2047, India will stand as a maritime superpower,” he declared, underscoring that the journey ahead is not merely about capacity expansion but about national self‑reliance and global leadership.
The 65th anniversary of the Shipping Corporation of India thus became more than a commemoration of past achievements—it was a forward‑looking declaration of intent. With ambitious targets, strategic projects, and a determined vision, India is charting a course that places its maritime sector at the heart of the nation’s rise on the global stage.
Marex Media