20,000 SMW delegates given update on Indian maritime plans
Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal has shared India’s strategies for a secure, sustainable and prosperous maritime future with global leaders at the Singapore Maritime Week (SMW) held 24-28 Mar 2025 http://shipmin.gov.in.
Sonowal also underlined the need for strengthening maritime connectivity and supply chains while calling for collective efforts towards a green sustainable maritime future.
On digitalisation and future ready shipping, the Minister reiterated how it is the core strategy of India’s maritime policy. India’s maritime policies like ONOP, NLP (Marine), and MAITRI are streamlining port services, cutting transaction times, and enabling real-time data.
India is also partnering with the UAE and Singapore to create Virtual Trade Corridors for seamless cargo movement https://fieo.org/.
Addrresing some 20,000 delegates at the conference and exhibition in Singapore, Sonowal said, “India’s maritime vision promotes collaboration and shared prosperity. As a reliable and responsible partner, India is committed to building a green, secure, and inclusive maritime future. Alongside Singapore and global partners, we aim to drive innovation and collective action for a resilient maritime ecosystem https://ted.europa.eu/en/.”
During his visit to the city state, Sonowal met Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong, held bilateral meeting with Murali Pillai, Minister of State in the Ministry of Transport.
He also held individual meetings with other senior members of the government including Dr Tan See Leng, Minister for Manpower and Second Minister of Trade and Industry, and Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Foreign Affairs.
Sonowal told SMW delegates that India is addressing supply chain vulnerabilities by developing key corridors like IMEEC, the Eastern Maritime Corridor, and the North-South Transport Corridor to secure trade routes https://www.nseindia.com/.
A US$20 billion investment would enhance logistics, port connectivity, and trade facilitation. India targets to be among top-five global shipbuilding by 2047 through policy reforms and infrastructure upgrades. Ports aim to grow their global cargo share from 6% to 15% by 2047, supported by a Maritime Development Fund for fleet and shipyard expansion https://www.bseindia.com/.
The GIFT City is also rising as a global hub for maritime finance and ship leasing, offering a competitive gateway to global capital, highlighted Sonowal, elaborating, “The maritime sector faces both challenges and opportunities, from climate change and geopolitics to digital disruption and shifting trade patterns.”
India is advancing as a modern, self-reliant, and globally connected economy, he said updating delegates on the country’s progress.
The maritime sector is key to driving growth, resilience, and sustainable connectivity. India is expanding port infrastructure, integrating logistics, and boosting ease of doing business—resulting in greater port efficiency, stronger cargo flows, and growing investor confidence.”
Sonowal concluded, “Sustainability is central to India’s maritime strategy. We are advancing green port infrastructure, promoting low-emission shipping, and supporting innovation in low-carbon vessels. Three Green Hydrogen Hub Ports— Kandla, Tuticorin, and Paradip—will drive alternative fuel adoption and green hydrogen production.”
India is also leading the IMO’s Green Voyage 2050 initiative, helping developing nations in their energy transitions.
“Our commitment extends to developing Green Shipping Corridors, including the proposed India-Singapore Green and Digital Corridor, focused on clean energy and smart logistics. Oceans unite us. Through partnerships, we can turn today’s maritime challenges into shared, sustainable opportunities,” he said.
Sonowal also met Industry Captains including Jeremy Nixon, Global CEO, ONE, and Masashi Hamada along with other corporate leaders from the Maritime Sector including APM Terminals, Gateway Terminals.
The Indian Minister joined Singapore’s Dr. Amy Khor, Senior Minister of State for Transport, at the signing of Letter of Intent (LoI) for Singapore-India GDSC at SMW.
Dr Khor noted India’s robust IT sector and growing potential in the production and export of green marine fuels, which together with Singapore’s position as a key transshipment and bunkering hub, create a complementary synergy for the Green and Digital Shipping Corridor (GDSC).
“This strategic maritime partnership will focus on digitalisation and decarbonisation projects, with the eventual goal of establishing a Singapore-India Green and Digital Shipping Corridor (GDSC),”
“These initiatives reaffirm Singapore’s commitment to working with like-minded partners to advance maritime digital innovation and decarbonisation,” Dr Khor said
Since 2022, the GDSC has grown to include over 28 stakeholders across the maritime, energy and finance value chains, she noted.
“The consortium has conducted bio-methane certification trials, studies on green ammonia emissions, and optimised port calls,” said Dr Khor.
Commenting on the signed LoI, Minister Sonowal said it was encouraging to advance blue economy and green transport. It was very much to adopt the digitalisation and decarbonization.
Sonowal said his visit with a high-level marine sector delegation will certainly strengthen the long-standing relationship as well as the “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership” to deepen and broaden cooperation between the two countries.
Under the LoI, both sides will collaborate on maritime digitalization and decarbonization projects, including identifying relevant stakeholders who could contribute to the effort, and work towards formalising the partnership through a memorandum of understanding on a Singapore-India GDSC, a joint release from MPA and MoPSW said.
“India is a leading player in information technology with the potential to become a major producer and exporter of green marine fuels,” the release highlighted.
“Singapore, as a key transshipment and bunkering hub, also supports a dynamic research and innovation ecosystem,” the release said.
The Singapore-India GDSC, when established, will enhance collaboration from both countries and help accelerate the development and uptake of zero or near-zero GHG emission technologies and the adoption of digital solutions, said the release.
Sonowal’s delelgation to Singapore included Indian Ports Association, Cochin Shipyard, Indian Maritime University, Shipyards Association of India, Swan Defence and Heavy Industries, Chowgule Shipyard, Garden Reach Shipyards and Engineers, San Marine Shipyard, Synergy Ship Builders and L&T Shipyard. These leading industries participated in the SMW exhhibition with a pavilion. Fiinews.com
