State-owned Shipping and Maritime Finance Corp. Ltd. (SMFCL) has made its entry into maritime financing, announcing loan commitments totaling Rs. 4,300 crore to support India’s shipping and maritime sectors. The move signals a strategic push to strengthen domestic shipping capacity, port-linked infrastructure, and allied industries. By providing long-term capital to a traditionally underfinanced segment, SMFCL aims to reduce reliance on foreign lenders and enhance India’s maritime competitiveness.