Pratik Bijlani –
From September 10th to 12th, the Bombay Exhibition Centre in Mumbai hosted the 14th edition of INMEX SMM India, South Asia’s premier maritime trade fair and conference. The event brought together more than 9,000 visitors, 250 leading brands, and delegations from over 20 countries, cementing its role as a vital platform for advancing India’s maritime ambitions. With the central theme Building India’s Blue Economy: Shipbuilding & Repair as Growth Drivers, the exhibition underscored India’s determination to emerge as a global hub in shipbuilding, repair, and sustainable maritime solutions.
Organised by Informa Markets in India in partnership with Hamburg Messe und Congress GmbH, INMEX SMM India has grown into South Asia’s largest maritime showcase since the merger of INMEX India and Hamburg’s SMM India in 2014. This year’s edition was the biggest yet, featuring international pavilions from Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, and Korea, alongside a domestic shipyard pavilion, cutting-edge demonstrations, and strategic dialogues through the Maritime Leaders’ Forum, CTO Conclave, and Maritime Excellence Awards.
The inaugural session was marked by visionary speeches from policymakers and industry leaders who outlined the course for India’s maritime future. Mr Shantanu Thakur, Minister of State for Ports, Shipping & Waterways, in a video address, reiterated India’s aspiration to rank among the top 10 maritime nations by 2030 and top 5 by 2047, highlighting shipbuilding and repair as key growth drivers. “Our goal is clear — to position India as a new hub for shipbuilding and to be among the top ten maritime nations by 2030, and among the top five by 2047,” he declared.
Mr Nitesh Rane, Minister for Fisheries & Ports Development, Government of Maharashtra, announced the landmark Maharashtra Shipbuilding, Ship Repair, and Ship Recycling Policy 2025, the country’s first state-level initiative dedicated to this sector. The policy envisions six shipyard clusters and 11 standalone shipyards, alongside fiscal incentives, capital subsidies, and infrastructure development. With a projected ₹18,000 crore investment and 1.4 lakh new jobs by 2047, the policy places Maharashtra at the heart of India’s maritime transformation. Underscoring India’s long-term vision, Mr Rane remarked, “India must be among the top 10 shipbuilding nations by 2030 and among the top 5 by 2047.”
Adding a global perspective, Ms. Monica Nagelgaard, Consul General of Norway in Mumbai, emphasized Indo-Norwegian collaboration in clean fuels, electrification, and sustainable shipbuilding. She remarked, “By combining Norway’s innovation ecosystem with India’s scale, talent, and ambition, we can create solutions that not only serve our two nations, but also set global benchmarks for sustainability.” Her remarks echoed the spirit of international cooperation that defined this year’s edition.
Inspector General Bhisham Sharma, Commander Coast Guard (Region West), highlighted the Coast Guard’s critical role in safeguarding India’s maritime domain, reaffirming its commitment to vigilance, innovation, and environmental stewardship. Meanwhile, Mr Ulas Boyaci, COO Exhibitions, Hamburg Messe und Congress GmbH, underlined INMEX’s role as a bridge between Europe and India, inviting Indian stakeholders to SMM Hamburg 2026 and celebrating the strong European participation this year.
With policy reforms, industry-wide collaboration, and a strong focus on innovation and sustainability, INMEX SMM India 2025 served not only as an exhibition but also as a catalyst for India’s maritime renaissance. The event showcased how India, backed by ambitious visions such as Maritime India Vision 2030 and Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, is positioning itself to be a global maritime powerhouse in the decades ahead.
Marex Media