Maritime roadmap: Goa charts green future

PANAJI

Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Monday unveiled Goa’s sustainable maritime roadmap in Mumbai at India Maritime Week 2025 while announcing Rs 200 crore for waterways, a Rs 3,500 crore LNG facility at Mormugao Port, a 2 MW solar plant and the Goa Maritime Board to drive “Blue Meets Green” growth.

At the Goa State Session of India Maritime Week 2025 in Mumbai, Sawant along with Ports Minister Digambar Kamat, unveiled the Goa Maritime Waterways Infrastructure Development Vision Document and outlined Goa’s comprehensive blueprint for eco-friendly maritime growth, innovation, and investment.

A key highlight of the session was the signing of a Rs 3,500 crore agreement with Atlantic Pacific LNG to establish an LNG facility at Mormugao Port, marking a significant step in the transition to green fuel. 

Besides, the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) announced a Rs 200 crore allocation for developing Goa’s inland waterways network.

“With this allocation, the pace of infrastructure development in the waterways of Goa will be clearly visible,” the CM said, adding that the theme “Blue Meets Green” reflects Goa’s vision of rapid, sustained development in harmony with the environment, waste-free waterways, and carbon-neutral shipping ecosystems.

Goa also reaffirmed the validity of its existing MoU with IWAI, signed on January 10, 2025 and effective till January 2030, ensuring protection of the State’s jurisdiction and rights over its waterways. The exchange of MoUs was accompanied by a Letter of Allotment for the Rs 200 crore grant.

The State also announced the launch of a 2MW solar power plant at Mormugao Port and plans to construct a floating marina, underscoring its commitment to renewable energy and modern coastal infrastructure.

For cruise and ferry infrastructure, the projects include a new international and domestic cruise terminal at Mormugao Port, a new terminal building at Panaji Port, seven permanent jetties, and 40 floating jetties under the National Waterways. Feasibility studies are underway for the Goa–Mumbai ferry routes and submarine tourism.

In line with the Centre’s Rs 69,725-crore maritime cluster revitalization plan, Goa will further promote green fuel-based vessels, hybrid propulsion systems, and single-window clearances for shipyards.

Goa also announced investments in solar-powered cold storage, modern fishing vessels, aquaculture, and tourism ventures such as underwater cruises, seaplane operations, and ropeway-linked nautical tourism.

 “Goa’s maritime story is one of transformation -- from heritage to high technology, from local to global, and from blue to green,” Sawant said.