By THE NEWSMAN OF INDIA.COM| Mumbai, February 7, 2026: Vadhvan Port Project Ltd. (VPPL), India’s 13th major port, marked a significant milestone in its commitment to youth empowerment and maritime skill development with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Directorate of Vocational Education and Training (DVET), Government of Maharashtra. The agreement was formalised in the presence of Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal, during a special event held to felicitate participants of the Vadhvan Port Skilling Program.

The event brought together key stakeholders, policymakers, and trainees, reflecting a shared vision of integrating infrastructure growth with human capital development. Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Vijay Kumar, IAS, Chairperson JNPA and CMD VPPL Gaurav Dayal, IAS, and Deputy Chairperson JNPA Ravish Kumar Singh, IRTS, were among the dignitaries who attended the programme.

At the heart of the event was the celebration of young achievers who successfully completed the second batch of the Customs Documentation Course. Certificates were awarded by the Union Minister, recognising their efforts and readiness to contribute to port operations. The four-week programme, comprising 100 hours of classroom instruction and practical exposure, equips participants with essential knowledge of customs processes, documentation, and regulatory procedures. Building on this foundation, VPPL has also introduced internship opportunities for students from the first batch, enabling them to gain hands-on industry experience.

Interacting with the students, the Union Minister congratulated them on their achievements and encouraged them to continuously upgrade their skills to remain competitive in the evolving maritime sector. He emphasised that skill development remains central to India’s port-led development strategy and long-term economic growth.

Further reinforcing its focus on maritime careers, VPPL presented confirmation letters to 11 students enrolled in the GP Rating Course, conducted in collaboration with the Shipping Corporation of India. The fully sponsored programme, costing ₹2.5 lakh per candidate, is designed to prepare youth for careers at sea. Conducted by SCI’s Maritime Training Institute with approval from the Directorate General of Shipping, the six-month residential course culminates in an exit examination conducted by the Board of Examination for Seafarers Trust. Successful candidates receive certification, enabling them to enter the global maritime workforce.

In another major development, a Letter of Award was handed over to Gateway Terminals India for implementing the Kaushalya Nirmiti Yojana Skill Development Program. Under this initiative, students from the Vadhvan region will undergo residential training at GTI’s new facility at Sheva, JNPA. Each batch will consist of 30 students and will focus on developing skills required for container terminal operations.

The programme is structured to train youth as Container Terminal Associates across key domains such as health, safety, security and environment, operations, and engineering. It offers a fully funded six-month training module, followed by a one-year apprenticeship with stipend support. The initiative aims to enhance employability among local youth while building a skilled workforce aligned with the needs of the ports and logistics sector.

A major highlight of the event was the signing of the MoU between VPPL and DVET. This partnership aims to conduct short-term skill courses at Industrial Training Institutes under the Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs (PM-SETU) scheme. As part of this initiative, students from 44 selected villages in the Vadhvan region will receive free training, ensuring that opportunities reach grassroots communities.

To further streamline access to training, VPPL has introduced a dedicated chatbot to simplify registrations and provide real-time updates on upcoming courses. The response has been overwhelming, with more than 45,000 registrations recorded so far. Currently, around 162 batches comprising over 6,000 students are undergoing training across 28 diverse courses. Participants are also given the option to indicate preferences for additional skill areas, ensuring flexibility and relevance.

VPPL has appointed specialised training partners to deliver these programmes and has a proven track record of successful collaborations. In the past, it has conducted targeted skilling initiatives for fishermen, including open sea cage training in partnership with CMFRI and fish processing and value addition programmes with CIFE. Based on feedback and local needs, such courses will continue in the future.

Speaking on the occasion, Sarbananda Sonowal highlighted the importance of human capital in India’s maritime journey. He said that skill development forms the backbone of the country’s growth story and is central to the Prime Minister’s vision of a self-reliant and future-ready India. He added that initiatives like the Vadhvan Port Skilling Program demonstrate how infrastructure development and workforce creation can go hand in hand.

Gaurav Dayal, IAS, Chairperson JNPA and CMD VPPL, reiterated that the company’s vision extends beyond building a world-class port. He noted that VPPL is investing in skill development across the entire port ecosystem, from pre-sea training and customs documentation to container terminal operations and allied services. These initiatives, he said, are designed to ensure that local youth actively participate in and benefit from the port’s development.

Through its comprehensive skilling framework, strategic partnerships, and community-centric approach, VPPL is steadily creating pathways for sustainable employment and social progress. The Vadhvan Port Skilling Program stands as a model of how large infrastructure projects can serve as engines of inclusive growth, empowering youth and strengthening India’s maritime future.