BIMSTEC Ports Conclave inaugurated by Sarbananda Sonowal in Vizag

The 2nd BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) Ports Conclave was inaugurated by the Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, on 14 July 2025.

The two-day conclave, to be held on 14 & 15 July 2025, will provide a platform to the member countries of the BIMSTEC to discuss and enhance maritime cooperation,port-led connectivity initiatives and sharing of best practices.

India hosted the first BIMSTEC Ports Conclave in November 2019 at Visakhapatnam.

Who is Hosting the Conclave?

The Conclave is being hosted by the Visakhapatnam Port Authority, which oversees the operations of the Visakhapatnam Port. The Visakhapatnam Port is one of India's 12 major ports, located on the eastern coast, adjacent to the Bay of Bengal.

Participants of the second BIMSTEC Ports Conclave 

The conclave is being attended by the BIMSTEC member countries: India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Thailand, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Nepal.

The Transport and Ports Ministers, senior officials, delegates from shipping corporations, logistics companies, port trusts, and experts from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), and other international bodies are participating in the conclave.

Theme of the BIMSTEC Ports Conclave 

The theme of the two-day BIMSTEC Ports Conclave is -Navigating the Future: Blue Economy, Innovation & Sustainable Partnerships.

Agenda of the Ports Conclave 

• The Conclave will lay the groundwork for boosting maritime growth in the region by encouraging private investment and infrastructural partnerships across BIMSTEC ports.
• It will also discuss fast-tracking the Kaladan Multimodal Transit Corridor that seeks to connect the Kolkata Port with the Sittwe Port in Myanmar.
• They will also identify and promote coastal tourism circuits and heritage cruise lines in the BIMSTEC countries.
• One of the key focuses will be on advancing the blue economy through the adoption of green energy, sustainable logistics, and digital transformation.
• It will also feature discussions on the integration of green hydrogen and decarbonization pathways, including smart logistics corridors, special economic zones (SEZs), and port-linked industrialisation.

About BIMSTEC

Established- 1997

Members: India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Thailand, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Nepal.

Secretariat - Dhaka, Bangladesh

Current Chair - Bangladesh 

Also Read: PM Modi attends the 6th BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok, Thailand