India reaffirmed its ambition to emerge as a leading maritime power, with Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal announcing a USD 20 billion infrastructure commitment to overhaul port connectivity, multimodal logistics, and trade facilitation.
This push, part of the broader vision of Viksit Bharat and Atmanirbhar Bharat, is central to India’s aspiration to become a top-five global shipbuilding nation by 2047.Representing India’s expanding maritime footprint, Sonowal addressed international stakeholders during the “India Country Session,” positioning India as a serious and strategic alternative for shipbuilding, green fuel innovation, and circular economy practices. The policy thrust is underpinned by an enabling regulatory climate, fiscal incentives, and global investment frameworks aimed at attracting foreign capital.
India’s pitch was clear: its ports are not just gateways for trade, but engines of transformation. Backed by initiatives like the One Nation One Port Process (ONOP), National Logistics Portal (Marine), and the virtual trade corridor MAITRI, the country is digitising logistics and cutting transaction times. “India is not only upgrading physical infrastructure but also investing in real-time transparency, integrated customs, and end-to-end cargo traceability,” said Sonowal.The centrepiece of India’s sustainable maritime strategy is the development of three Green Hydrogen Hub Ports at Kandla, Tuticorin, and Paradip. These ports will facilitate green fuel manufacturing and support bunkering facilities, positioning India as a pioneer in zero-carbon shipping solutions. As part of the IMO’s Green Voyage 2050 initiative, India is also leading capacity-building for developing nations transitioning to clean maritime fuels.
Complementing infrastructure with manpower, India has emerged as the second-largest supplier of seafarers to Norwegian ships. Sonowal invited deeper collaborations in this domain, calling India a “reliable, responsible and forward-looking maritime partner.” The call was extended to major Norwegian agencies and investors present at the forum.Further enhancing India’s value proposition were discussions on blended finance models, including the proposed Maritime Development Fund. Designed to de-risk private investment through government-backed concessional capital, the fund is expected to catalyse large-scale sectoral growth. The emphasis was on institutionalising frameworks that allow for ease of entry, shared risk, and scalable growth.
On the geopolitical front, India’s maritime corridors—IMEEC (India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor), EMC (Eastern Maritime Corridor), and INSTC (International North-South Transport Corridor)—were showcased as future trade arteries that would bolster supply chain resilience and connectivity across Asia, Europe, and Africa.India’s strong stance on sustainable ship recycling also garnered attention. Its compliance with the Hong Kong Convention (HKC) and the operational maturity of its recycling yards were highlighted as evidence of the country’s alignment with global environmental norms and circular economy goals.
The event, attended by Norwegian maritime leadership and global investors, was seen as a strategic moment for India’s outreach to the world. By blending policy foresight with executional confidence, India is signalling that its ports, ships, and seafarers are ready for a clean, competitive and connected maritime future.
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