Odisha Charts Course for Maritime Leadership Ahead of India Maritime Week 2025

Bhubaneswar: Odisha is steering its way toward reclaiming its maritime glory and strengthening its position as a leading coastal economy. The state’s strategic vision took centre stage during the 6th Board Meeting of the Odisha Maritime Board (OMB), held today under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja at Lokseva Bhawan.

The high-level meeting brought together Development Commissioner-cum-Additional Chief Secretary Anu Garg, ACS, Industries Shri Hemant Sharma, Principal Secretary, Commerce & Transport Usha Padhee, Principal Secretary, Finance Sanjib Mishra, and senior officials from the Police, Revenue, and Tourism Departments, along with other Board members.

As Odisha gears up to participate as a State Partner at India Maritime Week (IMW) 2025, the Board outlined a forward-looking roadmap to position the state as a hub for sustainable maritime development. Key focus areas include advancing green hydrogen production and export, promoting shipbuilding, repair, and recycling, developing captive jetties, and driving port-led industrial growth. The state will also roll out initiatives to build a future-ready maritime workforce.

At IMW 2025, Odisha is set to unveil the Odisha Inland Vessel Rules, 2025, strengthening the regulatory framework for inland water transport. Several strategic Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) will also be signed with key partners such as the Indian Ports Association (IPA), Paradip Port Authority (PPA), Indian Port Rail & Ropeway Corporation Ltd. (IPRCL), and the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) to enhance infrastructure and boost maritime tourism.

The state will also launch two landmark publications:

• A Coffee Table Book tracing Odisha’s maritime journey from the naval might of ancient Kalinga to its modern maritime ambitions.

• A White Paper on the Odisha Maritime Perspective Plan (OMPP), outlining an integrated long-term vision for maritime growth.

Speaking at the meeting, Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja highlighted that with its 480-km coastline and rich maritime legacy, Odisha is uniquely positioned to become a national and global maritime leader. He emphasized a sustainable, technology-driven approach to ensure inclusive growth while reviving the state’s historical maritime prominence.