Singapore Should Cooperate in Vadhavan Port Development – CM Devendra Fadnavis

New Dimension to Maritime Cooperation between Maharashtra and Singapore

Raigad, Aug 2025 : Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed confidence that growing cooperation between India and Singapore in the fields of maritime trade, infrastructure, digitization, data centers, and logistics—along with multiple MoUs—will strengthen economic ties and give a new dimension to relations, especially between Maharashtra and Singapore. He also expressed hope that Singapore would extend cooperation in the development of Vadhavan Port.

He was speaking at the Green and Digital Maritime Corridors Leaders’ Dialogue organized by the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) and Indian Ports Association at the JNPA Business Centre, Uran, on behalf of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways. The event was attended by Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong, Singapore’s Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat, JNPA Chairman Unmesh Wagh, and Ministry Secretary T. K. Ramachandran.

CM Fadnavis said the new PSA terminal at JNPA will soon be inaugurated. This state-of-the-art facility will handle 50% of JNPA’s container capacity and boost India’s global trade, further strengthening the nation’s maritime power. He thanked Singapore for its cooperation in completing this project.

Highlighting the cooperation between India and Singapore in establishing green and digital maritime corridors, the CM stressed the need for a sustainable maritime ecosystem. Both countries are working together on new technologies, green fuels, and efficiency measures. He noted that advancements in India’s digital infrastructure, particularly through the Eastern Maritime Corridor initiative, will enhance the efficiency of maritime services.

He said the Vadhavan Port is India’s largest port project and will be completed on time, positioning Maharashtra and India as major maritime powers. The project will provide a new direction to India’s maritime infrastructure.

Referring to India’s rich maritime history, the CM mentioned the vision of the Chola Empire and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Under PM Narendra Modi’s Amrit Kaal Maritime Vision 2047, Maharashtra is developing its own maritime vision with clear goals for 2029, 2035, and 2047, ensuring the state’s significant contribution to reshaping India’s maritime sector.

CM Fadnavis said Singapore has always supported India, and MoUs will be signed to extend the partnership from JNPA to Vadhavan Port.

Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong said climate change is a serious global challenge that requires collective action. Singapore and India are drafting an MoU to develop a Green and Digital Shipping Corridor, which will significantly strengthen the maritime sector.

He inspected the newly completed Phase 2 of the PSA Bharat Mumbai Container Terminal, calling it a symbol of the strong, enduring India–Singapore partnership. Over nearly three decades, PSA has invested USD 2.3 billion in India. Phase 1 improved operational efficiency and reduced vessel turnaround time, benefiting Indian exporters and importers. Phase 2 has doubled terminal capacity from 2.4 million TEUs to 4.8 million TEUs, making BMCT India’s largest standalone container terminal. This will boost economic growth and create large-scale employment opportunities. Beyond port operations, Singaporean companies are active in India’s maritime sector in areas like shipbuilding and green shipping solutions. Singapore is one of India’s largest sources of FDI, and many Singaporean companies are working in various sectors in Maharashtra. A new MoU between Mapletree Investments and the Maharashtra government for industrial and logistics development will further strengthen the partnership.

A video message from Union Minister for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal was shown at the event.

Singapore’s Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat, JNPA Chairman Unmesh Wagh, and Ministry Secretary T. K. Ramachandran also shared their remarks.

In the presence of CM Fadnavis, Singapore DPM Gan Kim Yong, and Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat, an MoU was signed between the Maharashtra government and Mapletree Investments Pte. Ltd., Singapore. The agreement involves an investment of ₹3,000 crore, creating 5,000 direct jobs in Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, and other industrial areas. Under this MoU, logistics and warehousing parks, industrial parks, and data centers will be developed.

Before the program, CM Fadnavis, along with Singapore’s DPM and Transport Minister, inspected Phase 2 of PSA’s Bharat Mumbai Container Terminal at JNPA, Uran, and interacted with the technical team on site. Present on the occasion were JNPA Chairman Unmesh Wagh, MLA Mahesh Baldi, Konkan Divisional Commissioner Dr. Vijay Suryawanshi, District Collector Kishan Jawale, CEO Neha Bhosle, CM’s Chief Investment Advisor Kaustubh Dhavse, Ministry Secretary T. K. Ramachandran, and PSA Deputy Managing Director Pavithram Khallada, among others.