Maritime India Summit (MIS) 2021, the second edition, a flagship initiative of the Union Ministry for Ports, Shipping & Waterways, will be inaugurated by the Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi on March 2.

Mr Sanjay Sethi,Chairman, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), will be among the host of Major Port Chairpersons, policymakers, public and private sector representatives, and international stakeholders associated with the maritime sector who will be participating in MIS 2021, which will be taking place virtually from March 2 to March 4, 2021.

Mr Sethi will be the Convener at the first Plenary Session

Subsequent to the inauguration and address by the Prime Minister, Mr Sethi will be the Convener at the first Plenary Session on ‘Developing World Class Ports’.  He will be giving his perspective on the topic considering his experience as the Chairman of India’s No. 1 container port and leading international gateway.

Addressing a virtual kick-off meeting with stakeholders on Monday, the Chairman highlighted that MIS 2021 aims at showcasing the opportunities the maritime sector in India offers to the rest of the world. Stakeholders in this sector can find something for them in at least one of the many sessions, he said.

The event also has an exhibition pavilion, which has received a lot of registrations.

The Summit is not just about investment but also about knowledge, Mr Sethi emphasised. There are 65 confirmed speakers as of now, with 34 among them being international. There is a separate day for Chabahar Port (Iran), besides a CEOs Forum which too will see participation from head-honchos of international companies, he said. India’s coastal states will also be showcasing their opportunities in dedicated sessions.

The 3-day Summit and Exhibition will be attended by various stakeholders in the maritime sector including senior and eminent policy planners, domestic and international investors, CEOs of Indian and global maritime companies, industry experts, thought leaders, technology providers, bankers and insurers, representatives of major ports and shipping lines from across the world. Around 20,000 delegates will participate, 24 partner countries will join, and more than 400 projects are set to be showcased, as per an official communiqué.

The conference will also project vast investment opportunities in each of the Indian maritime states and union territories, it added.

Some of the other key sessions of MIS 2021 include:

Manpower Development - Skilling in Maritime Sector - Seafarers,  Shipbuilding, Ship Repair and Ship Recycling, Shipping - Latest Trends, Future post-pandemic,  Coastal Shipping, Hinterland Connectivity and Multimodal Logistics Hub, Opportunities in Maritime Financing and Insurance, Water Transport - Promoting Cargo and Passenger Movement, Sea Planes Tourism, Bulk Cargo Transportation: Focus on Liquid Cargo,  Port-led Industrialisation: Building Port Cities and Maritime Clusters, Green and Sustainable Maritime Sector,  Development of Port Infrastructure: Unleashing Opportunities,  Boosting Business through Trade Promotion and Regional Connectivity