Gateway Terminals India Signs MoU to Launch Comprehensive Skill Development Programme for Port Sector
In a landmark move to boost employment, inclusivity, and workforce readiness in India’s maritime sector, Gateway Terminals India (GTI) – popularly known as APM Terminals Mumbai – has inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) and Vadhvan Port Project Ltd. (VPPL) to roll out an ambitious Skill Development Programme. This initiative is aligned with the Government of India’s flagship “Skill India Programme” and reflects a united vision to empower local communities and create a future-ready port sector workforce.
The newly launched training programme seeks to address some of the most pressing challenges facing the Indian logistics and port operations sector — a lack of skilled manpower, underrepresentation of women and marginalized communities, and the need for a more diverse and inclusive workforce. Designed to provide vocational training specifically tailored to port operations, the initiative aims to equip participants with technical expertise across key domains such as safety, maintenance, planning, and equipment operations.
This tripartite collaboration brings together GTI’s global operational expertise, JNPA’s institutional and administrative capabilities, and VPPL’s vision for long-term port development. Together, they aim to build the foundational skills necessary to support the evolving needs of India’s maritime infrastructure. Held at GTI’s premises in Mumbai, the training programme will blend classroom instruction with hands-on, on-the-ground experience.
Highlighting the programme’s objectives, GTI stated that the initiative would serve three primary goals: empowering individuals directly impacted by port development projects, increasing the number of women in port-related careers, and promoting industry-wide diversity through targeted training and inclusive recruitment strategies.
Shri Unmesh Wagh, Chairman of the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority, praised the initiative and emphasized the importance of integrating social responsibility with economic development. “I wholeheartedly congratulate GTI for taking up this crucial skill development programme. This initiative not only provides valuable opportunities for our local community but also demonstrates a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion within the port sector,” said Wagh. “We are proud to partner with GTI in this endeavour, which will undoubtedly contribute to the socio-economic upliftment of the local community and foster a more representative workforce.”
The initiative comes at a pivotal time for India’s port infrastructure. With the Indian government’s vision of making ports not just points of trade but engines of local economic growth — encapsulated in its mantra “ports for prosperity and ports for progress” — skilling the workforce is now seen as critical to delivering on this ambition.
By leveraging GTI’s international reach and experience, JNPA’s administrative muscle, and VPPL’s developmental foresight, the programme promises long-term community impact. According to GTI, participants will benefit from a curriculum shaped by real industry requirements, combining technical instruction with apprenticeships that will offer stipends to encourage wider participation.
Jon Goldner, Managing Director for Asia & Middle East at APM Terminals, reinforced the importance of investing in people as part of the company’s global mission. “At APM Terminals, we are committed to creating future-ready jobs and opportunities wherever we operate,” Goldner said. “Upskilling and training are a core part of our global value proposition, and initiatives like this skill development programme in India underline that commitment. By investing in people, we strengthen local communities, drive sustainable growth and build a more inclusive and resilient port sector for the future.”
One of the defining features of the programme is its emphasis on inclusivity. Specific outreach will target individuals classified as Project Affected Persons (PAPs), ensuring that those whose lives have been altered by port expansion projects are given priority access to new employment opportunities. Furthermore, a strong gender inclusion strategy will be embedded into the programme, with dedicated modules and support systems to increase female participation in technical roles traditionally dominated by men.
GTI’s Chief Operating Officer, Sunay Mukerjee, emphasized the broader impact of the MoU and what it signals for the future of India’s port industry. “The signing of this MoU is just the beginning of a great initiative. Through this skill development programme, GTI is committed to enhancing opportunities, creating a more skilled workforce for India’s growing port sector, and bringing greater diversity to the port operations landscape,” said Mukherjee. “We believe this collaboration with JNPA and VPPL will make a real difference in the lives of individuals and contribute to a more vibrant and inclusive industry.”
Beyond immediate job placements, the Skill Development Programme is expected to serve as a scalable model for other ports across India. By demonstrating the benefits of coordinated training, public-private partnership, and community engagement, GTI and its partners hope to inspire similar initiatives at upcoming ports such as Vadhvan and beyond.
With the 2025 Union Budget placing strong emphasis on employment generation and skill development, this programme positions itself as a flagship example of how industry and government can work hand-in-hand to address structural challenges in the labor market.
As India continues to build out its maritime infrastructure and strengthen its role as a global trade hub, the need for a robust, inclusive, and future-ready port workforce has never been greater. The Skill Development Programme launched by GTI, JNPA, and VPPL stands as a bold and necessary step in that direction — turning policy into practice, and ambition into opportunity.
