Mangaluru: Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal marked the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the New Mangalore Port Authority (NMPA) by unveiling, dedicating and laying foundation stones for 16 major infrastructure projects and 113 CSR initiatives worth ₹1,500 crore. He said the milestone reflects India’s maritime resurgence, rising global confidence and the transformation of NMPA into a modern, globally competitive port under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

NMPA’s transformation over five decades

Tracing NMPA’s journey since its establishment in 1975, Sonowal highlighted how the port has expanded from four berths handling 90,000 tonnes of cargo to 16 berths, a Single Point Mooring (SPM) facility and more than 46 million tonnes of annual cargo today. With a usable capacity of 74 million tonnes, the authority aims to reach 100 million tonnes by 2047. He said NMPA is now India’s largest coffee exporter and the second-largest LPG importer. With 92% mechanisation and steady digital adoption, the port has improved safety, efficiency and logistical performance. The Minister noted that NMPA plays a crucial role in supporting industries across Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu and contributes significantly to cruise tourism, benefiting local economies.

₹12 lakh crore MoUs signal investor confidence

Sonowal pointed out that at India Maritime Week 2025 in Mumbai, MoUs worth more than ₹12 lakh crore were signed across the maritime sector, with NMPA alone accounting for ₹52,000 crore. He called this a strong indicator of global trust in India’s maritime ecosystem. Terming this period the “golden era of India’s maritime resurgence,” he said the nation’s investment potential in the sector exceeds ₹80 lakh crore and is expected to generate more than 1.5 crore jobs. He added that India is now the world’s third-largest seafaring nation, with the number of Indian seafarers rising from 1.08 lakh in 2014 to over 3.2 lakh today. By 2030, one in every five seafarers globally is expected to be an Indian.

Boost to maritime education and seafarer training

During his visit, Sonowal inaugurated the newly renovated campus of Mangalore Marine College and Technology (MMCT), calling it a step toward India becoming one of the world’s top three maritime nations. Addressing cadets and faculty, he emphasised that India’s maritime transformation is anchored in sustainability, innovation and global leadership. He also inaugurated the ₹9.51-crore office building of the Mercantile Marine Department (MMD), Mangaluru. The new facility will conduct competency exams for seafarers from Karnataka and neighbouring states, reducing the need to travel long distances for certification. Sonowal praised MMCT for developing a skilled maritime workforce and commended Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) for its collaboration, noting that MSC’s global operations and sizeable Indian workforce create promising opportunities for young seafarers.

Green transition and future-ready port infrastructure

Sonowal underscored NMPA’s commitment to sustainable operations, including its shift to 100% solar power, deployment of digital systems and the adoption of the Harit Cargo Concession Policy. These initiatives aim to position the port as a major green logistics hub. He said that under the Maritime India Vision 2030 and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, ports across the country are undergoing modernisation to enhance competitiveness and drive coastal development. NMPA’s own 2047 Master Plan includes doubling cargo capacity, achieving carbon neutrality and developing Mangaluru as a major logistics and cruise hub. Planned developments include deep-draft terminals, LNG infrastructure, seaplane and heli-taxi facilities and an outer harbour cruise terminal.

Healthcare, coastal welfare and regional development

Among the inaugurated projects was a 150-bed multi-specialty hospital built under the PPP model—the first of its kind among India’s major ports. The hospital will serve both port employees and local communities and will be covered under Ayushman Bharat. Sonowal also highlighted Karnataka’s growing prominence as a maritime hub, with 32 Sagarmala projects worth ₹6,526 crore either completed or underway, and eight more projects worth ₹420.89 crore in progress. Over 960 acres of port land have been allotted for port-led industries that are expected to generate substantial investment and employment. The Minister additionally highlighted government schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana and the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana, stating that India’s maritime growth is strongly linked to the upliftment of coastal communities, youth, women and traditional seafaring families.

Conclusion

Sonowal said NMPA’s Golden Jubilee is not just a celebration of past achievements but a declaration of India’s vision for a modern, green and globally competitive maritime future. With massive investments, expanding capacity and bold transformation plans, the Minister said NMPA is poised to become one of India’s most advanced maritime gateways by 2047. Several dignitaries attended the celebrations, including Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, MP Brijesh Chowta, former MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, MLAs Dr Bharath Shetty and D. Vedavyasa Kamath, Director General of Shipping Shyam Jagannathan, NMPA Chairman Dr Venkata Raman Akkaraju and Deputy Chairman S. Shanthi. Maritime representatives and industry leaders also joined the MMCT event.