Women’s participation in India’s maritime sector has recorded a sharp increase of 340% since 2020, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said, highlighting the government’s efforts to create a more inclusive and future-oriented maritime workforce.
Delivering the keynote address at the 10th Indian Ocean Dialogue in New Delhi, Sonowal highlighted “Nari Shakti” as a central pillar of India’s maritime growth story. Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal was joined by His Excellency, Dhananjay Ramful, Foreign Minister of Mauritius, and His Excellency, Waleed Mohammed Al-Qadimi, Minister of State of Yemen.
“Through initiatives like ‘Sagar Mein Samman’, we are advancing dignity, inclusion and leadership opportunities for women in the maritime sector, which has seen a remarkable rise of about 340% since 2020,” Sonowal said. “Under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, this transformation in the maritime sector is helping shape a more inclusive, resilient and future-ready workforce for the Indian Ocean Region.”
The minister linked the growing presence of women in the maritime industry to India’s broader strategy of combining economic progress with social empowerment. He said that while India continues to strengthen maritime security, connectivity and sustainability, the “human element” remains at the heart of the country’s maritime agenda.
“The Indian Ocean is not just a geographic space, but a global lifeline,” Sonowal said. “Its importance to global energy flows, trade and supply chains calls for stronger cooperation, resilience and inclusivity.”
Sonowal emphasised that India’s maritime initiatives are aligned with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, including frameworks such as SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and MAHASAGAR, aimed at strengthening regional cooperation and ensuring equitable growth.
The 10th Indian Ocean Dialogue is being hosted by India in its capacity as Chair of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) for the 2025–27 term. Held under the theme “Indian Ocean Region in a Transforming World,” the forum has brought together ministers, policymakers, academics and industry leaders to discuss issues including maritime security, the blue economy, climate change, disaster risk management and women’s empowerment.
India’s IORA chairmanship is centred on the themes of “Innovation, Openness, Resilience and Adaptability,” with women’s economic empowerment identified as a major cross-cutting priority.
During his address, Sonowal reiterated India’s role as a “net security provider” in the Indian Ocean Region, citing the country’s contributions in humanitarian assistance, maritime surveillance and disaster response operations. He stressed that maritime challenges require collective solutions and called for greater collaboration based on transparency and adherence to international law.
“India remains committed to working with all partners to advance a safe, secure and stable Indian Ocean Region,” he said.
The Indian Ocean Dialogue, launched in Kochi in 2014 as IORA’s flagship Track 1.5 platform, serves as a forum for engagement among governments, experts and industry stakeholders on critical regional issues. IORA currently includes 23 member states and 12 dialogue partners, with a focus on economic cooperation and sustainable development across the Indian Ocean Region.
The 10th edition of the Dialogue, being held in New Delhi on May 7 and 8, 2026, includes dedicated discussions on maritime security, blue economy initiatives, disaster resilience, climate action and women’s leadership in the maritime sector.
Women’s participation in India’s maritime sector has recorded a sharp increase of 340% since 2020, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said, highlighting the government’s efforts to create a more inclusive and future-oriented maritime workforce. Delivering the keynote address at the 10th Indian Ocean Dialogue in New Delhi, Sonowal highlighted “Nari Shakti” as a central pillar of India’s maritime growth story. Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal was joined by His Excellency, Dhananjay Ramful, Foreign Minister of Mauritius, and His Excellency, Waleed Mohammed Al-Qadimi, Minister of State of Yemen. “Through initiatives like ‘Sagar Mein Samman’, we are advancing dignity, inclusion and leadership opportunities for women in the maritime sector, which has seen a remarkable rise of about 340% since 2020,” Sonowal said. “Under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, this transformation in the maritime sector is helping shape a more inclusive, resilient and future-ready workforce for the Indian Ocean Region.” The minister linked the growing presence of women in the maritime industry to India’s broader strategy of combining economic progress with social empowerment. He said that while India continues to strengthen maritime security, connectivity and sustainability, the “human element” remains at the heart of the country’s maritime agenda. “The Indian Ocean is not just a geographic space, but a global lifeline,” Sonowal said. “Its importance to global energy flows, trade and supply chains calls for stronger cooperation, resilience and inclusivity.” Sonowal emphasised that India’s maritime initiatives are aligned with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, including frameworks such as SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and MAHASAGAR, aimed at strengthening regional cooperation and ensuring equitable growth. The 10th Indian Ocean Dialogue is being hosted by India in its capacity as Chair of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) for the 2025–27 term. Held under the theme “Indian Ocean Region in a Transforming World,” the forum has brought together ministers, policymakers, academics and industry leaders to discuss issues including maritime security, the blue economy, climate change, disaster risk management and women’s empowerment. India’s IORA chairmanship is centred on the themes of “Innovation, Openness, Resilience and Adaptability,” with women’s economic empowerment identified as a major cross-cutting priority. During his address, Sonowal reiterated India’s role as a “net security provider” in the Indian Ocean Region, citing the country’s contributions in humanitarian assistance, maritime surveillance and disaster response operations. He stressed that maritime challenges require collective solutions and called for greater collaboration based on transparency and adherence to international law. “India remains committed to working with all partners to advance a safe, secure and stable Indian Ocean Region,” he said. The Indian Ocean Dialogue, launched in Kochi in 2014 as IORA’s flagship Track 1.5 platform, serves as a forum for engagement among governments, experts and industry stakeholders on critical regional issues. IORA currently includes 23 member states and 12 dialogue partners, with a focus on economic cooperation and sustainable development across the Indian Ocean Region. The 10th edition of the Dialogue, being held in New Delhi on May 7 and 8, 2026, includes dedicated discussions on maritime security, blue economy initiatives, disaster resilience, climate action and women’s leadership in the maritime sector.
DP World has acquired 47,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) for the first time, marking a significant expansion of its container fleet. This acquisition will not only boost DP World's cargo capacity but also enhance its ability to respond quickly and flexibly to customer needs. The newly branded and registered containers will provide DP World’s customers with seamless access to critical container capacity. This ensures that even during periods of peak demand or unforeseen disruptions, businesses can continue to move goods efficiently. With this increased control over delivery schedules, DP World is positioned to minimise delays, making supply chains more resilient and adaptable in the current fast-paced global environment. This investment aligns with DP World’s fleet renewal strategy, which focuses on delivering reliable and efficient equipment to its customers. The acquisition of a younger fleet, with reduced maintenance requirements, is expected to lower operating costs, which will benefit customers by providing high-quality, consistent service. The move underscores the company’s commitment to maintaining reliability in an increasingly complex supply chain landscape. Ganesh Raj, Global Chief Operating Officer, Marine Services at DP World, commented: “In today’s increasingly complex and competitive commercial environment, supply chains are under growing pressure. This injection of 47,000 TEUs into the existing ecosystem of DP World-owned assets will help our customers access the capacity they need, safe in the knowledge that their goods will be moved from end to end with a single partner.” DP World’s extensive multimodal logistics network spans vessels, ports, terminals, economic zones, and warehousing facilities across 78 countries. Additionally, the company has committed to using fuel-efficient vessels, trucks, and trains to transport the new containers, aligning with its sustainability goals. The acquisition represents DP World’s ongoing efforts to streamline global trade, lower operational costs, and reduce environmental impact, ensuring smooth and efficient supply chain operations for its customers worldwide.
Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ) has announced a remarkable 14% year-on-year increase in cargo volume for September 2024, signaling strong growth in India's logistics and maritime sector. The ports handled a total cargo volume of 28.33 million tonnes during the month, compared to 24.82 million tonnes in September 2023. This growth is attributed to the rising demand for commodities and the company’s continuous investments in enhancing operational efficiency. Notably, the increase in cargo handling reflects APSEZ’s strategic initiatives aimed at expanding its capabilities and streamlining processes. The company has focused on augmenting its infrastructure, introducing advanced technology, and optimising logistics networks to support increasing trade volumes. The growth was particularly driven by a surge in container volumes, which increased by 10%, underscoring the robustness of India's import and export activities. APSEZ’s management remains optimistic about maintaining this upward trajectory, highlighting their commitment to sustainability and innovation. They aim to leverage technology to enhance service offerings and improve turnaround times, which are critical for ensuring the seamless flow of goods. As India’s largest private port operator, Adani Ports plays a crucial role in facilitating trade and logistics, significantly contributing to the nation's economic growth. With continued investments and a focus on operational excellence, the company is poised to capture further market share in the rapidly evolving logistics landscape.
