Latest news with #Nor-Shipping
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Business Standard
18-06-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Atmanirbharta in shipping a key goal of maritime policy: Sarbananda Sonowal
Between engagements with Japan, Norway, and Denmark, Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal is on a global outreach to put India's fledgling shipping sector on the world map. Back from Norway—where he inaugurated the Nor-Shipping trade fair—the minister told Business Standard in an interview that India is actively pursuing self-reliance, or Atmanirbharta, in shipping, and has initiated multiple joint ventures between Indian shipyards such as Cochin Shipyard and leading global private sector shipbuilders. 'During the visit, India and private sector maritime players explored the scope of collaboration to further strengthen the shipbuilding ecosystem and build partnerships to manufacture maritime equipment and machinery in India, aligned with the Make in India initiative. India's strong shipbuilding capabilities must be sustained through cleaner and greener technologies, and towards this end, multiple MoUs were signed to transfer knowledge that empowers us to elevate our position,' Sonowal said. The government is looking to Europe for innovation in shipping and ship manufacturing, while simultaneously engaging major shipyards in Asia to establish operations in India. Earlier this year, following a series of Budget reforms, Gujarat's Deendayal Port issued a tender to establish a shipbuilding cluster in Kandla, aimed at attracting foreign players. However, the tender saw minimal response, with only one bidder. 'The Indian shipbuilding industry will need to develop its capabilities in terms of modern technologies and processes. This can be achieved through collaboration with foreign shipbuilders, and both private sector and PSU shipyards are actively pursuing this,' the minister noted. According to Sonowal, recent deliberations became opportunities to reinforce India's business-friendly stance in what is a highly capital-intensive sector. On whether evolving geopolitical dynamics have influenced India's strategy, Sonowal said: 'The global geopolitical situation is constantly evolving, and amidst this flux, our unwavering focus is to safeguard the future of India's maritime industry, reduce dependency, and ensure Atmanirbharta in shipping. We are committed to ensuring the sector remains growth-focused, strong, and seamlessly integrated into the global maritime ecosystem—aligned with national priorities and attuned to international opportunities.' On discussions with Norway, the minister said he engaged with industry leaders and explored a range of bilateral opportunities, including the potential for increased employment of Indian seafarers in the Norwegian fleet. Currently, around 10 per cent of Norwegian ships are being built in India. Smart Islands in Lakshadweep, Andaman The minister also met Terada Yoshimichi, Japan's Vice-Minister for International Affairs, and officials from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. He said plans to develop India's islands into smart islands were on the agenda during bilateral deliberations. 'We explored expanding ties between Indian and Japanese shipyards, including Greenfield investments such as Imabari Shipbuilding in Andhra Pradesh. We identified opportunities for co-developing ports and maritime clusters as clean energy hubs. I conveyed India's interest in joint ventures with leading Japanese shipbuilders—Imabari, JMUC, Kanagawa Dockyard, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries—and invited NYK Line, MOL, and K Line to invest in next-generation sustainable maritime technologies,' Sonowal said.
Japan Forward
11-06-2025
- Business
- Japan Forward
Japan-India Maritime Ties Enter a New Era of Smart Cooperation
In a compelling display of growing strategic and economic synergy, Japan and India are charting a bold new course in maritime cooperation. The two Indo-Pacific partners are in advanced discussions to expand bilateral ties. They aim to achieve this through a shared vision of green technology, smart infrastructure, and a resilient maritime ecosystem. The latest milestone in this evolving partnership was marked on June 2 in Oslo. Japan's Yoshimichi Terada, Vice Minister for International Affairs at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, met with Sarbananda Sonowal, India's Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. The meeting, held on the sidelines of the Nor-Shipping maritime conference in Norway, was nothing short of transformational. It signaled a renewed commitment to jointly advance sustainable and smart maritime initiatives. These initiatives are not only commercially robust but also environmentally sound and socially inclusive. Both Japan, as Asia's most mature democracy, and India, the world's largest, are vibrant democracies with complementary strengths. And they have long shared a special strategic and global partnership. Their maritime dialogue is now taking center stage as both nations recognize the importance of the Indo-Pacific as the engine of global trade and geopolitics. Terada and Sonowal shake hands. (Courtesy of Government of India Press Information Bureau) What makes this development particularly significant is its forward-looking approach. It focuses not just on traditional maritime security but also on cutting-edge technologies, climate resilience, and inclusive growth. At the June meeting, Terada and Sonowal delved deep into potential investments in India's shipbuilding industry, with an emphasis on co-development and co-production models. Japan has expertise in building state-of-the-art vessels. Coupling that with India's growing shipyard capabilities holds tremendous promise. Together, they aim to foster a competitive, future-ready shipbuilding ecosystem that can serve regional and global markets. One of the most exciting dimensions of the talks was the mutual commitment to green port development. Japan's Green Infrastructure Strategy and India's Sagarmala Initiative found common ground in the conversation. Both sides agreed to exchange best practices and technological know-how in clean energy adoption. From shore-to-ship power supply to hybrid propulsion systems and hydrogen-based logistics, the green maritime transition is well underway. Digitization was another key area of convergence. Smart ports, enabled by AI, IoT, and blockchain technologies, are central to India's maritime modernization strategy. Japan, a global leader in port automation and intelligent logistics, is expected to play a catalytic role in India's digital port transformation. These smart solutions are not only set to enhance operational efficiency but also reduce emissions, lower costs, and streamline trade. One of the most visionary aspects of the dialogue was the focus on India's island territories. They are the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep. These smart solutions discussed by the two nations involve transforming these strategically located sites into "smart islands." They would feature green ports, renewable energy facilities, eco-tourism infrastructure, and disaster-resilient logistics hubs. In this regard, Japan's experience in building sustainable island ecosystems through integrated maritime and urban planning offers valuable insights. Their collaboration will help unlock the untapped potential of these islands. It will also serve as a model for regional development and maritime security in the Indo-Pacific. The meeting was held on the sidelines of the Nor-Shipping 2025 conference. (Courtesy of Government of India Press Information Bureau) No partnership is complete without a strong foundation in human capital development. Recognizing this, both ministers placed special emphasis on enhancing skills, training, and capacity-building. Japan's maritime institutions and the Indian Maritime University (IMU) are expected to expand academic and research collaboration. They aim to facilitate knowledge exchange and the creation of a highly skilled maritime workforce. Scholarship programs, joint R&D initiatives, and training modules for green technologies are already under consideration. These efforts will nurture a new generation of maritime professionals adept at navigating the complexities of a rapidly evolving industry. A shared understanding of the need for resilient infrastructure in the face of climate change is also shaping the partnership. With both countries susceptible to natural disasters such as tsunamis and cyclones, discussions focused on building disaster-resilient ports, warehouses, and navigation systems. Japan's technical experts in mitigation and India's vast coastal infrastructure create a perfect synergy for joint innovation and resilience-building. India is also expected to benefit from Japan's advanced hydrographic and coastal mapping technologies. These are critical for sustainable port planning and climate impact assessments. This renewed maritime cooperation between Japan and India is not just a bilateral affair. It has far-reaching implications for the region and beyond. It exemplifies how like-minded countries can come together to address global challenges such as climate change, sustainable development, and maritime security, through practical, people-centric solutions. As maritime trade continues to account for over 90% of global trade volume, the importance of resilient, green, and smart maritime infrastructure cannot be overstated. Japan and India's collaboration sets a positive example for the world, demonstrating how strategic alignment and shared values can produce real on-the-ground impact. Both countries are gearing up to implement the outcomes of the Oslo dialogue with optimism in the air. The proposed projects are all aligned with Japan's Sustainable Blue Economy Strategy and India's Amrit Kaal vision. With strong political will, robust institutional frameworks, and deep friendship, Japan and India could redefine maritime cooperation in the 21st century. Author: Professor Pema Gyalpo
Fibre2Fashion
08-06-2025
- Business
- Fibre2Fashion
India commits $20 bn to boost logistics, port connectivity: Sonowal
India has committed $20 billion for infrastructure development focused on enhancing multimodal logistics, port connectivity, and trade facilitation, said Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) Sarbananda Sonowal at the India pavilion at Nor-Shipping, a premium global maritime event in Oslo. At the session, Sonowal highlighted India's growing maritime capabilities including favourable policy induced investment environment, proven shipbuilding strength, circular economy efforts, and innovative financing plans to accelerate sectoral growth. 'Under the able and visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is moving decisively toward the goals of Viksit Bharat and Atmanirbhar Bharat. These goals envisage India as a modern, self-reliant, inclusive, and globally engaged economy. In this journey, the maritime sector is central—not just as a driver of growth, but as an enabler of resilience, sustainability, and strategic connectivity. India has launched wide-ranging efforts to expand port infrastructure, integrate logistics systems, and improve ease of doing business for the private sector. These reforms are already bearing fruit in the form of increased port efficiency, stronger cargo flows, and rising investor confidence,' Sonowal explained. Indian Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has announced that India has committed $20 billion to enhance multimodal logistics, port connectivity, and trade facilitation. This initiative supports the nation's Maritime Vision 2047, aiming to position India as a global maritime leader. Key projects include the development of Green Hydrogen Hub Ports and the launch of the Maritime Development Fund. He also highlighted strengthening of maritime connectivity and supply chains with strategic corridors like India - Middle East - Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC), the Eastern Maritime Corridor (EMC), and the International North - South Transport Corridor (INSTC). 'To support these efforts, India is working to become a credible and competitive alternative. Through policy incentives, ease of doing business, and infrastructure enhancement, we are laying the foundation for India to emerge as one of the top five shipbuilding nations by 2047,' Sonowal added. Emphasising the need for a green and sustainable maritime future, Sonowal added, 'India is establishing three Green Hydrogen Hub Ports— Kandla, Tuticorin, and Paradip— to support the manufacturing of green hydrogen and its derivatives and to pioneer the use of alternative fuels in the maritime domain. We are also proud to lead under the IMO's Green Voyage 2050 initiative, assisting developing countries in their energy transitions.' 'India's maritime digital ecosystem is undergoing a transformation. Initiatives such as ONOP (One Nation - One Port Process), National Logistics Portal (Marine) and MAITRI – Virtual Trade Corridor are creating a unified national platform for port services and EXIM trade. These efforts are improving operational transparency, reducing transaction time and building real-time data systems. We are also engaging with global partners to establish virtual trade corridors that will digitally connect ports, enabling seamless cargo movement and reducing bottlenecks,' he explained. In another session, 'Ship Recycling – Enabler to Circular Economy and Sustainable Maritime', India presented its mature, Hong Kong Convention (HKC) compliant ship recycling framework. The country's environmentally regulated and high-capacity ship recycling ecosystem was showcased as a key contributor to global circular economy efforts. The event also featured a strategic presentation on India's port-led decarbonisation strategy. This included the development of green hydrogen and ammonia production hubs at Indian ports to support green fuel bunkering, shipping corridors, and overall maritime decarbonisation goals. On India's proven Maritime manpower, Sonowal continued, 'India is currently the second largest seafarer manpower provider to Norwegian owned ships. Through this platform, I would like to encourage larger partnerships for seafarer recruitment between Norwegian and Indian agencies. India stands ready—as a reliable, responsible, and forward-looking maritime partner. We are committed to shaping a maritime future that is green, secure, efficient, and inclusive.' On the investment front, discussions focused on 'Innovative Financing for Maritime Growth', with insights into the proposed Maritime Development Fund. The blended finance model aims to use concessional capital from the government to unlock private investment. India also highlighted institutional mechanisms for risk sharing and partnership models to mobilise investments into its growing maritime sector. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (RR)
Hans India
05-06-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Indian maritime firms bag shipbuilding orders at Oslo meet
Oslo: Indian maritime companies bagged shipbuilding orders and signed MoUs with leading global players to explore opportunities for collaboration and future business at the Nor-Shipping event being held here. A Memorandum of Intent (MOI) was signed by Carsten Rehder Schiffsmakler und Rehder GmbH & Co. KG, Germany and the Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd (GRSE) for the construction of an additional four 7,500 DWT multi-purpose vessels. These vessels will have hybrid propulsion and adhere to the latest cybersecurity norms. This is in addition to an existing order of 8 such vessels currently being constructed at the GRSE's Kolkata yard. The GRSE also signed MoUs with Aries Marine LLC from the UAE for collaboration in "construction of offshore platforms and vessels" and with a global engine manufacturer as well. Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, was present at the MoU signing ceremonies. During the Union Minister's visit to the Norway pavilion, an MoU was also signed between India's Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Group and Norway's DNV covering multiple areas of collaboration. It includes shipbuilding, offshore & maritime and expanding port infrastructure, energy systems, industrial solutions and smart infrastructure, sustainability, ESG and risk services, software, cyber security, platforms and digital solutions. In his remarks on the occasion, Sonowal said: "Norway has long been a valued partner of India. Our enduring collaboration is built on shared values, mutual respect, and a common commitment to sustainable development. It gives me immense pleasure that many Indian companies are signing MoUs, including those from Norway, further deepening our commitment to collaborate in the maritime sector." "Our governments are also working closely on green shipping corridors, decarbonisation efforts, ship recycling, and capacity building. The India-Norway Task Force on Blue Economy stands as a cornerstone of this deepening engagement. Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India's maritime sector is undergoing a bold transformation. Through our flagship initiatives like Sagarmala, we are modernising port infrastructure, improving multimodal logistics, and enabling port-led industrial growth. A key pillar of this vision is the creation of Green Ports and the promotion of low-emission, energy-efficient coastal and inland shipping. Looking ahead, there is great potential for collaboration in offshore wind energy, maritime digitalisation, and sustainable port development. Together, we can unlock not just bilateral opportunities, but also contribute meaningfully to a sustainable and secure Indo-Pacific maritime ecosystem." The Union Minister is leading a business delegation of key maritime companies with participation from upcoming MSMEs. Some of the companies from the delegation include L&T Shipbuilding, Yeoman Marine Services, Smart Engineering & Design Solutions (SEDS), Chowgule Shipbuilding Division, Goa Shipyard Ltd, Mandovi Dockyards, Synergy Shipbuilders, Varya Tech Pvt Ltd, Marine Electricals, Buoyancy Consultants, Shoft Shipyard, Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL), & Swan Defence & Heavy Industries.
Time of India
05-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
India commits $20 bn for maritime infrastructure development, says Sarbananda Sonowal
India has committed USD 20 billion for infrastructure development, with a focus on enhancing multimodal logistics , port connectivity and trade facilitation, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said on Thursday. Speaking at the Nor-Shipping conference in Oslo, Sonowal highlighted India's growing maritime capabilities, including favourable policy induced investment environment, proven shipbuilding strength, and innovative financing plans to accelerate sectoral growth. According to an official statement, the Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister also called for greater partnerships for seafarer recruitment . Sonowal also highlighted strengthening of maritime connectivity and supply chains with strategic corridors like India - Middle East - Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC), the Eastern Maritime Corridor (EMC), and the International North - South Transport Corridor (INSTC). "India has committed USD 20 billion for infrastructure development focused on enhancing multimodal logistics, port connectivity, and trade facilitation. Live Events "Through policy incentives, ease of doing business, and infrastructure enhancement, we are laying the foundation for India to emerge as one of the top five shipbuilding nations by 2047," Sonowal added. Emphasising the need for a green and sustainable maritime future, he said India is establishing three Green Hydrogen Hub Ports -- Kandla, Tuticorin, and Paradip -- to support the manufacturing of green hydrogen and its derivatives and to pioneer the use of alternative fuels in the maritime domain. Sonowal is on a five-day official trip to Norway and Denmark.
