BIMSTEC Ports Conclave 2025 Inaugurated, Aiming to Transform Bay of Bengal into Global Maritime Hub

Visakhapatnam: Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, inaugurated the second edition of the BIMSTEC Ports Conclave today in Visakhapatnam, marking a major step toward enhanced maritime collaboration among Bay of Bengal nations. The two-day conclave brings together delegates from all seven BIMSTEC member countries—Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand—to foster stronger regional port cooperation, sustainable development, and trade integration.

Speaking at the inaugural session, Sonowal described the Conclave as a “springboard” to unlock the vast potential of the Bay of Bengal’s Blue Economy. Emphasizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Neighbourhood First policy, the Union Minister said India sees BIMSTEC nations as crucial partners in building port-led industrial clusters, advancing digital logistics, enhancing cruise tourism, and nurturing a future-ready maritime workforce.

“Together, we aim to create a seamless network of ports that serve as engines of economic growth. Through public-private partnerships, skill development, and digital transformation, we can position the Bay of Bengal as a resilient hub for global trade and tourism,” said Sonowal.

One of the key announcements of the day was the establishment of a BIMSTEC Sustainable Maritime Transport Centre under the Indian Ocean Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Maritime Transport (IOCE-SMarT) in Powai, Mumbai. The Centre will support the operationalisation of the recently signed BIMSTEC Agreement on Maritime Transport Cooperation (AMTC) and drive digital innovation, harmonisation of maritime policies, and green growth across the region.

Union Minister of State for MoPSW, Shantanu Thakur, echoed this vision and said, “Through the BIMSTEC platform, India is laying the foundation for bold, collaborative growth in trade, tourism, and green shipping. The emphasis on private investment, digital integration, and skills training will create lasting impacts across member nations.”

The conclave featured key sessions that focused on:

• Promoting private sector investment and public-private partnerships (PPPs) to modernize outdated port infrastructure.

• Attracting global supply chains in shipbuilding, electronics, renewables, and logistics.

• Operationalising the AMTC agreement and standardising customs, logistics, and cruise tourism pathways.

• Proposals for a BIMSTEC Ports Coordination Centre, regional Port Community System, and integrated SEZs and logistics parks.

On the sidelines of the event, Sonowal also highlighted the strategic importance of the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project, calling it a “transformative corridor” that links India’s Northeast with the Bay of Bengal through Myanmar. He said the project exemplifies India’s Act East policy and holds the potential to catalyse inclusive growth across BIMSTEC by drastically reducing trade costs and transit time.

The inaugural session saw participation from key dignitaries including BIMSTEC Secretary General Mani Pandey, Union Minister of State Shantanu Thakur, Visakhapatnam MP M Sribharat, MoPSW Secretary T.K. Ramachandran, and Dr. M. Angamuthu, Chairman of Visakhapatnam Port Authority and Dredging Corporation of India. A total of 28 international delegates from BIMSTEC nations were also present.

With discussions centred on maritime connectivity, port modernisation, and sustainable economic strategies, the 2025 BIMSTEC Ports Conclave aims to chart a clear and collaborative roadmap to transform the Bay of Bengal into a vibrant maritime and trade ecosystem.