International Conclave on Naval & Maritime Fusion for Shipbuilding to Accelerate India's Journey Towards Becoming a Top Five Global Shipbuilding Nation 

New Delhi, 23 October 2026 - Industry leaders, policymakers, defence stakeholders, technology providers and maritime experts gathered today to unveil NAMEXPO 2026 - International Conclave on Naval & Maritime Fusion for Shipbuilding, a first-of-its-kind platform designed to bring together India's naval and commercial maritime stakeholders to unlock the country's shipbuilding potential and accelerate its emergence as a global maritime powerhouse. 

Scheduled to be held on 1-2 December 2026 at the Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi, NAMEXPO 2026 is envisioned as a strategic platform for dialogue, collaboration, investment and business engagements across the shipbuilding value chain, spanning defence and commercial shipbuilding, commercial vessels, maritime technologies, marine equipment manufacturing, supply chains, financing institutions and global partners. 

The conclave is being organised in partnerships among the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Society for Aerospace, Maritime and Defence Studies (SAMDeS), and Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS). 

The initiative aligns with India’s long-term ambition to build a robust maritime economy and develop a US$ 300 billion shipbuilding industry by 2047, while strengthening the country’s position among the world’s leading shipbuilding nations. 

Beyond policy dialogue, the conclave is expected to facilitate tangible business outcomes by connecting shipyards, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), marine equipment suppliers, MSMEs, investors and technology providers that translate into partnerships, investments, technology collaborations and order creation across the ecosystem. 

“India has the talent, capabilities and ambition to become a global shipbuilding powerhouse. The way forward lies in breaking silos, accelerating indigenisation and bringing together and synergising government, Industry, academia and the defence sector to build a strong, self-reliant maritime ecosystem. NAMEXPO comes at an opportune time that can be one of the catalysts in turning this vision into reality”, said Shri T. K. Ramachandran, Co-Chair, CII Task Force on Maritime Ecosystem, & Professor of Practice, RIS, and former Secretary, MoPSW at the Curtain Raiser Ceremony held in New Delhi today. 

He also highlighted that India is at a pivotal juncture in its shipbuilding journey, creating a timely opportunity for global companies looking to establish shipbuilding facilities, invest in domestic capabilities and forge long-term partnerships with Indian industry. 

A defining feature of NAMEXPO 2026 is its focus on the convergence of naval and commercial shipbuilding capabilities. The platform will promote collaboration in critical areas such as ship design, advanced manufacturing, propulsion systems, digital technologies, certification standards and supply-chain development. 

During his special remarks, Dr R K Tyagi, Founding Member, Society for Aerospace Maritime and Defence studies, Former CMD Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and CMD Pawan Hans limited and Chairman, Aeronautical Society of India outlined the philosophy of NAMEXPO, “The oceans connect nations, economies, and societies. Their future cannot be secured by isolating national efforts. It requires synergy and cooperation among various countries, institutions, industries, and technology disciplines and this conclave is shaping up in that direction, offering an opportunity to initiate sustained collaborations, partnerships, and development of India's industry and technologies in naval and commercial shipbuilding.” 

Highlighting the need for stronger collaboration, Prof. Sachin Kumar Sharma, Director General, RIS quoted, “Naval and commercial shipbuilding and shipping require another critical fusion: government and industry. Aligning policy with industry realities is key to turning ideas into action and building a self-reliant Indian maritime sector”.  

It was noted that India is currently positioned to break the cycle of low demand and limited capacity. Through the development of shipyard clusters, the granting of infrastructure status to the shipping sector, and the implementation of recent legislative reforms, the nation is prepared to scale its annual production significantly. 

The organisers have invited shipyards, maritime companies, Original Equipment manufacturers, technology providers, financial institutions, investors, start-ups and global maritime stakeholders to come together, and explore emerging business opportunities. Industries and enterprises considering diversification or entry into the shipbuilding and maritime sector, this is the right time and the right platform to gain first-hand insights into the ecosystem, understand its opportunities and challenges, connect with key decisionmakers, explore strategic partnerships and identify new avenues for business expansion. Be part of this evolving ecosystem and seize the opportunities emerging as India advances towards becoming a global shipbuilding hub.