Bhavnagar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to dedicate several development projects to the nation from Bhavnagar tomorrow. Ahead of this, to accelerate growth in the maritime sector—covering shipbuilding, port yards, and related industries—27 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed today in the presence of Union Ministers.

On this occasion, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, said, “Under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, with the right program, direction, and vision, the nation has awakened and is advancing toward progress. Recognizing India’s maritime power, wealth, and potential, the country has taken on global challenges and, through initiatives like Sagarmala, achieved international standards in ports, logistics, and related areas. With multi-modal connectivity, integrated development goals, and transparent policies, the pace of national growth is accelerating.”

Sonowal further emphasized that all the MoUs signed today will certainly be realized. He expressed confidence that through Maritime Vision 2030 and India Vision 2030, India will secure its place among the world’s top 10 shipbuilding nations.

Union Minister of Labour and Employment, Mansukh Mandaviya, addressing the Samudra Se Samriddhi event in Bhavnagar, underlined India’s rich maritime past and promising future. He said the 27 MoUs signed today, covering shipbreaking, shipyards, and ship repair, will bring revolutionary changes across the shipping industry.

Citing history, Mandaviya remarked, “Whoever ruled the seas, ruled the world.” He recalled India’s ancient empires renowned for overseas trade, pointing out that many Gujarat and Indian ports’ names are still found in foreign towns, symbolizing India’s maritime legacy. He proudly noted that India is the only country to have an ocean named after it—the Indian Ocean—an enduring symbol of its maritime power.

Bhavnagar Lok Sabha MP and Union Minister Nimuben Bambhaniya said that tomorrow’s inaugurations of development projects will be a proud moment for Bhavnagar and Gujarat. She expressed pride that MoUs signed today for shipbuilding at Ratanpar in Bhavnagar will generate numerous employment opportunities.

She stated that the journey to make India’s maritime sector modern, inclusive, and globally competitive has begun from Bhavnagar. The 27 MoUs will open a new path for growth, making India a crucial player in global trade, job creation, and national development.

The event saw the presence of Bhavnagar Mayor Bharat Bard; MLAs Jitu Vaghani, Gautam Chauhan, and Sejalben Pandya; Deendayal Port Authority Chairman Sushilkumar; Principal Secretary (Ports and Transport) R.C. Meena; Joint Secretaries R. Laxman and Sandeep Gupta; Gujarat Maritime Board CEO Rajkumar Beniwal; General Manager Kalpesh Vithlani; and other dignitaries and stakeholders from across India’s maritime sector. DeshGujarat