Maharashtra government has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) worth ₹42,500 crore with Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ) for the expansion of Dighi Port. The agreement, finalised on the first day of India Maritime Week 2025, marks one of the largest private investments in the state’s port development strategy, positioning Maharashtra as a key player in India’s emerging blue economy.
Officials said the proposed expansion of Dighi Port will not only strengthen the state’s maritime trade capacity but also create large-scale employment, promote coastal industrialisation, and enhance India’s global competitiveness in logistics and export connectivity. The project aims to transform Dighi Port into a deep-draft, multi-cargo terminal with state-of-the-art facilities and integrated logistics zones, complementing the upcoming Vadhavan Port. In total, the state signed 15 MoUs amounting to nearly ₹56,000 crore, covering shipbuilding, ship repair, maritime services, and allied industries. These partnerships, according to senior government representatives, are expected to accelerate Maharashtra’s journey towards sustainable and technologically advanced maritime growth.
Among the key agreements are ₹5,000 crore and ₹2,000 crore investments by Chowgule and Company Private Limited and Goa Shipyard Limited, respectively, for developing new shipyard facilities. Additional investments include expansions at JSW Jaigarh and Dharamtar ports worth ₹3,709 crore, and projects focusing on shipbuilding, marine battery storage, and maritime training. Officials highlighted that the state’s port-led growth strategy aligns with India’s larger goal of developing green ports and promoting cleaner maritime operations. A notable inclusion is a ₹10 crore investment by Echandia Marine AB to set up a marine battery energy storage system, signalling Maharashtra’s intent to transition towards low-emission, electric-powered port operations.
The government also announced that Mumbai’s coastal connectivity would be strengthened through new water transport services, including an upcoming water taxi link between the Gateway of India and the Navi Mumbai International Airport. The introduction of electric vessels is planned to further reduce carbon emissions and promote cleaner mobility across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. Experts said the MoUs will help Maharashtra establish itself as a leader in integrated maritime logistics, while ensuring that economic expansion goes hand-in-hand with sustainability. With ports such as Dighi, Jaigarh, Dharamtar, and Vadhavan being developed as major maritime hubs, the state is setting the stage for a logistics revolution that balances industrial growth with environmental responsibility.
The Dighi Port expansion, once operational, is expected to boost India’s west coast shipping network, attract foreign investment, and anchor Maharashtra’s role as the country’s maritime innovation hub.
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