With over 90 percent of global trade reliant on sea routes, maritime governance is critical to secure supply chains, ensure equitable resource access, and foster economic resilience^[1]. The maritime domain is also witnessing renewed geopolitical competition even as it offers a variety of new investment opportunities. These are implicating and, in turn, are shaped by both state and non-state actors seeking to navigate an evolving maritime landscape^[2].

At the same time, ports and shipping are also undergoing a transformation; they are transforming from traditional trade and logistics gateways to platforms of technology, virtual economic exchanges, and digital connectivity, positioning maritime cities and industries as regional and global innovation engines for sustainable blue growth^[3]. However, as the climate crisis intensifies, coastal communities face disproportionate risks, highlighting the need for inclusive, people-centric development that balances economic ambition with environmental sustainability^[4].

These macro trends need to be factored in even as India seeks to shape maritime governance in the region and beyond, leveraging its growing economic heft, strategic location in the Indo-Pacific, and active engagement in regional and global frameworks^[5], ^[6]. Given that 95 percent of India’s trade by volume moves through sea routes, robust maritime infrastructure is essential to India’s aspiration of becoming the world’s third-largest economy by 2027^[7], ^[8]. National initiatives such as ‘Sagarmala’, ‘Maritime India Vision 2030’, and ‘Amrit Kaal Vision 2047’ aim to build a more sustainable blue economy, aligned with the SAGAR principle—security and growth for all in the region^[9]. These efforts focus on expanding domestic shipbuilding, modernising ports, and improving logistics networks.

India is also strengthening international connectivity through corridors such as the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor and regional partnerships such as the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation and the Indian Ocean Rim Association, which promote trade, maritime governance, and regional cooperation^[10]. At the same time, the integration of technologies through artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things, and satellite technologies is driving efficiency and decarbonisation^[11]. India's target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070—alongside green port development and ship recycling initiatives—reflects its commitment to building a more sustainable maritime sector^[12], ^[13].

Meanwhile, the global demand for critical minerals is driving investment in resilient, diversified supply chains^[14]. Yet, ensuring maritime growth benefits local communities remains a challenge, especially for India, with its vast 11,098 km coastline and 72 coastal districts^[15], ^[16]. This highlights the need to ensure development in the maritime sector is inclusive, sustainable, and fair. A people-first approach—centred on job creation, skills training, and support for local enterprise—can ensure coastal communities benefit directly from maritime growth. For this, blue economy initiatives must be participatory, sustainable, and locally grounded—not just in India, but across coastal nations facing similar transitions.

The pursuit of inclusive maritime development at the national level must align with and contribute to broader global efforts. Strengthening resilience, fostering cooperation, and preparing for disruptions—such as oil spills, pandemics, and piracy—are essential to secure the global maritime future^[17]. Amid shifting geopolitics, climate challenges, and evolving trade routes, technological integration and inclusive growth will be key. Advancing innovation, building partnerships, and promoting people-centric development must remain central to the global agenda. In this context, this compendium, The Sagarmanthan Review: Navigating the Great Oceans, offers a timely and important ideas platform that collates insights and perspectives from eminent experts across geographies who share a commitment to strengthen the maritime sector by deepening partnerships, helping catalyse investments in resilience and sustainability, and discovering pathways that allow the potential growth of this sector to benefit local communities significantly.

It builds on the discussions hosted at the inaugural edition of ‘Sagarmanthan: The Great Oceans Dialogue’, an annual convening co-hosted by the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) and India’s Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. This global dialogue aims to serve as a platform to strengthen collaboration between various stakeholders to develop an inclusive, resilient, and sustainable ocean economy. It brings together policymakers, industry leaders, scholars, and civil society representatives to exchange insights on critical themes. The inaugural dialogue—held in New Delhi on 18 and 19 November 2024—focused on maritime connectivity and infrastructure, the role of partnerships in economic development, sustainability and technology, and community-centred governance.

This compendium offers well-researched analyses and actionable recommendations to shape maritime strategies aligned with economic, social, and environmental goals. Organised into four sections, the first part explores ways to enhance global maritime connectivity through multimodal transport corridors, optimised trade networks, and smart infrastructure investments. The second section focuses on fostering strategic partnerships between India, the Global South, and other regions to strengthen regional cooperation. The third section highlights sustainability imperatives, such as climate change-driven maritime routes, decarbonisation, AI-powered maritime efficiencies, and biodiversity conservation. The final section underscores the importance of people-centric policies to build resilience and adaptability in the face of emerging ocean challenges.

The significance of this publication extends beyond national borders—maritime challenges and opportunities are inherently global, requiring collaboration across regions and disciplines. Featuring 25 essays, the publication brings together diverse perspectives by internationally renowned experts from 20 countries, with contributions spanning Europe, Asia, the Gulf, Oceania, the Americas, the Caribbean, the Indian Ocean Region, and Africa. It includes a strong representation from maritime nations in the Global South and Small Island Developing States, whose insights are necessary to shape any inclusive and sustainable maritime policy framework for the future.

Focusing on maritime policy and international cooperation, Bruce Jones examines the evolving geopolitical landscape and emphasises the importance of resilient maritime partnerships. Tomasz Łukaszuk highlights shared challenges and opportunities in port development between the European Union (EU) and India, while Ashraf Keshk explores maritime security collaboration between India and the Gulf States. Peter Chatlani draws insights from Panama’s canal and port development to inform India’s coastal policy. Mads Qvist Frederiksen turns our attention to the Arctic, discussing the potential for a sustainable blue economy for that region, while Erin Watson reflects on how smart port technologies are reshaping global trade.

In the context of blue growth, Nadeem Nazurally underscores its promise for island and coastal states, while Juita Mohamad stresses Asia’s need to align economic development with environmental priorities. Teenah Jutton advocates for stronger representation of Southern perspectives in global blue economy dialogues. Raimund Bleischwitz and Rüya Perincek propose a circular maritime economy model rooted in India-EU cooperation, while Ruben Eiras discusses the role of AI in advancing triple-use investments in the blue economy, particularly through Portugal-India partnerships.

On sustainability and innovation, Ahmed Hussein Selim outlines challenges to environmental sustainability in Indian shipping. Nancy Karigithu offers a global vision for greener maritime practices, while Linda Etta identifies both barriers and breakthroughs in marine transport sustainability. Ayla Bajwa calls for integrated frameworks to break sectoral siloes in maritime governance, and Nwabisa Matoti charts a roadmap for decarbonising the industry. Paritosh Deshpande and Yogindra Samant promote sustainable ship recycling as a dual strategy for green growth and worker safety, while Tanuja Kaushik and Rahul Akolkar highlight the importance of maritime innovation. Nicole van Spronsen shares the Netherlands' journey toward zero-emission inland shipping.

Finally, this volume emphasises inclusive maritime governance and its far-reaching social impact. Mohamed Nasheed proposes alternative, traditional, and cost-effective solutions to decarbonise the maritime industry, championing island-led leadership in this effort. Malshini Senaratne explores governance models that prioritise coastal communities in blue economy planning. Senthilkumaran Krishnan offers a framework for building resilient, climate-adaptive coastal societies, and Vishal Surbun underscores the importance of meaningful public participation in ocean governance. Ishita Sharma reflects on port development that balances economic ambition with social responsibility, and Anusha Kesarkar Gavankar and Katharina Bothe conclude by emphasising that the future of the blue economy must be grounded in the lived experiences of local communities, guided by social equity, and enriched by the wisdom of indigenous knowledge.

Together, these contributions offer actionable insights to shape equitable and sustainable maritime futures.

We extend our sincere gratitude to the distinguished authors, policymakers, and thought leaders who have shared their knowledge and expertise. We deeply appreciate their willingness to share valuable research, innovative ideas, and policy recommendations. These global perspectives not only enrich this discourse but also reinforce the shared responsibility of ensuring a sustainable and inclusive ocean economy. The Sagarmanthan Review: Navigating the Great Oceans stands as a testament to this collective effort, advancing dialogue that will shape India’s maritime aspirations and contribute meaningfully to global conversations on the future of our oceans for generations to come.

Endnotes

^[1] International Chamber of Shipping, "Shipping Fact: Shipping and World Trade: World Seaborne Trade," International Chamber of Shipping,

^[2] Elisabeth Braw, “What attacks on shipping mean for the global maritime order,” Atlantic Council, August 9, 2024.

^[3] Daniel Clemente, Tomás Cabral, Paulo Rosa-Santos and Francisco Taveira-Pinto, "Blue Seaports: The Smart, Sustainable and Electrified Ports of the Future," Smart Cities 6, no. 3 (2023): 1560-1588.

^[4] Peter Haugan, et al., Ocean Decade Vision 2030 White Papers – Challenge 4: Develop a Sustainable and Equitable Ocean Economy (The Ocean Decade Series, 51.4), Paris, UNESCO-IOC, 2024, https://doi.org/10.25607/2452-1r10.

^[5] Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Government of India.

^[6] Sohini Bose and Anasua Basu Ray Chaudhury, India and a Stable Indo-Pacific: Managing Maritime Security Challenges in the Bay of Bengal, ORF Occasional Paper No. 432, Observer Research Foundation, March 2024.

^[7] "95% of India's Trade by Volume Moves Through Coastal Routes: DG Shipping," India Shipping News, January 23, 2025.

^[8] "India to Become World’s Third Largest Economy by 2027: Piyush Goyal," Business Standard, January 15, 2025.

^[9] Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Government of India, https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1992273; Sagarmala (Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Government of India), "About Sagarmala - Introduction," Sagarmala, https://sagarmala.gov.in/about-sagarmala/introduction; Abhishek Mishra, "India’s vision of SAGAR: Humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations in the Indian Ocean Region," Observer Research Foundation, February 3, 2025.

^[10] Vinod Kumar, "India Advances IMEEC Trade Corridor with Key UAE Discussions," DD News, March 3, 2025.; Pradip R. Sagar, "Why India will play big role in regional bonding at 6th BIMSTEC Summit," India Today, April 1, 2025.;  John J. Vachaparambil and Muskan Rai, "IORA at 28: India’s Chairmanship and the Path Forward," National Maritime Foundation, March 7, 2025.

^[11] Research and Information System for Developing Countries and Centre for Maritime Economy and Connectivity, Propelling India's Maritime Vision: Impact of Government Policies, RIS and CMEC, New Delhi, 2023.

^[12] World Economic Forum (in collaboration with Kearney and Observer Research Foundation), Mission 2070: A Green New Deal for a Net-Zero India, Geneva, World Economic Forum, November 2021.

^[13] Ayushi Srivastava and Commodore Debesh Lahiri, "Sustainable Ship Recycling in India – Social, Technological and Environmental Analysis," National Maritime Foundation, February 20, 2024.

^[14] Ieva Baršauskaitė, Tom Moerenhout, Josef Ostřanský, and Alice Tipping, "The Future of Trade and Investment Deals in a Critical Minerals Boom," International Institute for Sustainable Development, March 11, 2025.

^[15] Survey of India, “Length of Coastline of India,” Survey of India.

^[16] Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways - Sagarmala, "Coastal Community Development," Sagarmala.

^[17] Michael Grey, "Black swans: anticipating future shocks to shipping," Seatrade Maritime News, October 17, 2022.

• Maritime Security
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• The Pacific, East and Southeast Asia
• great oceans dialogue
• india maritime policy
• india maritime vision
• maritime leadership forum
• sagarmanthan 2025
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• sagarmanthan orf

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