The New Mangalore Port Authority (NMPA) is making significant preparations for the upcoming India Maritime Week (IMW) 2025, scheduled from October 27 to October 31 in Mumbai. The Authority is eager to highlight Karnataka’s impressive maritime capabilities and showcase the port’s unique strengths.
During a stakeholders’ meeting on Thursday, October 24, 2025, NMPA Chairman A.V. Ramana revealed that the port plans to present its innovative sustainable development initiatives, advanced digital transformation strategies, and a wide array of emerging investment opportunities. The event is expected to see the signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) totaling an impressive ₹53,000 crore.
Ramana emphasized that IMW, held at the Bombay Exhibition Centre, serves as one of India’s most influential maritime platforms. It brings together a diverse group of global leaders, visionary innovators, key industry stakeholders, pioneering technology developers, influential policymakers, and crucial investors. Their collective aim is to foster discussions on the future of maritime trade, promote environmental sustainability, drive digital transformation, and accelerate coastal economic development. NMPA will be participating alongside other prominent regional industries, including MRPL, HPCL, NTCPWC, and NITK.
Mr. Ramana further elaborated that the week-long event will feature a dynamic program, including specialized thematic sessions, high-level CEO roundtables, showcases of cutting-edge technology, crucial policy dialogues, and invaluable strategic networking opportunities, all geared towards advancing India’s ambitious Blue Economy vision. Notably, NMPA proudly holds the distinction of being the Platinum Sponsor for IMW 2025.
Engaging in Key Discussions
NMPA, under Mr. Ramana’s leadership, will actively engage in several high-level panel discussions. These include the Karnataka State Session, titled “Exploring PPP Synergies for a Sustainable Blue Economy,” which aims to foster collaborative growth across various sectors such as ports, fisheries, coastal infrastructure, and marine innovation. On October 30, he will also be a distinguished speaker at the Maritime Digitalisation & Future Tech Summit’s Global CEO Roundtable. This session will focus on critical topics like investment priorities, regulatory frameworks, the development of world-class ports, expanding coastal shipping and inland waterways, boosting shipbuilding and repair capacities, realizing cruise tourism potential, enhancing maritime services, promoting skill development, and fostering port-led industrialization.
Additionally, Mr. Ramana is slated to moderate the GMIS session dedicated to the cruise and passenger economy. Titled “Sailing into Prosperity: Navigating Opportunities in Cruise and Passenger Mobility,” this discussion will delve into promising coastal cruising prospects, strategies for passenger terminal improvements, the development of leisure tourism infrastructure, and the adoption of global best practices to establish India as a premier cruise destination. The session will also explore the economic viability of ROPAX services as an alternative transport solution and evaluate the significant potential of river cruise tourism from both Indian and international standpoints.
Concluding his address, Mr. Ramana underscored Karnataka’s strategic importance, noting that with its vibrant coastline and crucial trade connections, the state is ideally positioned to be a pivotal force in India’s burgeoning maritime growth story, effectively harmonizing economic advancement with dedicated ocean stewardship.