A recent workshop hosted by Gujarat Maritime University (GMU) in GIFT City served as a vital platform for charting the future of port-led development in India. Held on April 5, 2025, the event brought together industry leaders, policymakers, and academics, including faculty from Adani University, to discuss strategies for leveraging ports to drive economic growth, enhance logistics, and foster sustainable urban development.

Keynote addresses set the stage, with Shri Prakash Gaur, CEO of NHLML Official, highlighting the crucial role of Multi-Modal Logistics Parks (MMLPs) in integrating ports into broader supply chains. Prof. G Raghuram of GMU emphasized the need for cohesive national policies like Sagarmala and Maritime India Vision 2030, alongside strong intergovernmental coordination, to realize effective port-led development.

Dynamic panel discussions featuring experts from government, academia, and urban planning explored multifaceted perspectives. Insights into the Sagarmala initiative, maritime management, urban planning within GIFT City, and sustainable urban-port integration were shared. Deliberations centered around strategic Public-Private Partnerships, optimizing coastal and inland waterways, and the urgent need for green port initiatives, referencing Mundra Port’s sustainability efforts.

Adding a fresh perspective, young researchers from Adani University, CEPT University, Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya, and GMU presented innovative research. Topics ranged from dry port routing and logistical innovations to port decarbonization strategies and broader maritime sustainability themes, showcasing the next generation’s contribution to the sector.

The GMU workshop successfully fostered a crucial dialogue, forging collaborations and generating insights poised to significantly influence the strategic evolution of port-led development in India and beyond. The event underscored the critical role of ports as engines of economic and urban growth, and GMU’s proactive role in facilitating this viral conversation.