India has reinforced its commitment to global maritime leadership with a $20 billion investment in multimodal logistics, port connectivity, and trade facilitation, announced by Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal at Nor-Shipping 2025 in Oslo. Speaking at the India@Nor-Shipping session, Sonowal highlighted India’s growing influence in maritime connectivity, shipbuilding, and sustainable shipping corridors, emphasizing efforts such as the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC), the Eastern Maritime Corridor (EMC), and the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC).
Sonowal outlined India’s strategy to position itself among the top five global shipbuilding nations by 2047, leveraging policy incentives, ease of doing business, and infrastructure enhancements. The country has launched three Green Hydrogen Hub Ports—Kandla, Tuticorin, and Paradip—to pioneer green fuel manufacturing and maritime decarbonization efforts. As a leading participant in the IMO’s Green Voyage 2050 initiative, India is assisting developing nations in their energy transitions toward sustainable maritime practices.
The minister also introduced India’s resurgent shipbuilding ecosystem, highlighting advancements in digital integration, port modernization, and circular economy-driven ship recycling. Initiatives such as One Nation – One Port Process (ONOP), the National Logistics Portal (Marine), and MAITRI—Virtual Trade Corridor are streamlining EXIM trade, enhancing operational transparency and reducing transaction times. India’s Hong Kong Convention-compliant ship recycling framework was showcased as a model for sustainable maritime development, reinforcing the country’s role in global green shipping efforts.
India’s seafarer workforce emerged as a key focus area, with Sonowal calling for larger recruitment partnerships between Norway and India, positioning Indian seafarers as reliable assets for global maritime operations. On the investment front, discussions explored innovative financing mechanisms, including a Maritime Development Fund structured to unlock private investment through blended finance models.
Nor-Shipping 2025 witnessed participation from global maritime leaders, policy experts, and industry representatives, reaffirming India’s commitment to modern, secure, efficient, and sustainable maritime development. Sonowal concluded by stating that India stands ready as a forward-looking maritime partner, reinforcing strategic connectivity and economic resilience in the global shipping sector.
