India Charts Sustainable Maritime Future at Singapore Maritime Week

The Minister’s presence underscored India’s growing stature in the maritime domain and its proactive approach in steering global maritime dialogues.

In a landmark global engagement, India’s Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, participated in the prestigious Singapore Maritime Week (SMW), where he joined top global maritime leaders to discuss strategies for building a secure, sustainable, and inclusive maritime future. The Minister’s presence underscored India’s growing stature in the maritime domain and its proactive approach in steering global maritime dialogues.

During the event, Shri Sonowal emphasized India's maritime strategy, grounded in the ethos of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam—“the world is one family”—which champions collaboration, sustainability, and shared growth. He highlighted India's commitment to developing a resilient, future-ready, and green maritime ecosystem through a multi-pronged approach involving infrastructure, digitalization, policy reform, and international cooperation.

Driving India’s Maritime Vision

Speaking at the SMW, the Union Minister reiterated India’s focus on transforming its maritime landscape under the guiding principles of “Viksit Bharat” (Developed India) and “Atmanirbhar Bharat” (Self-Reliant India). India is fast-tracking the modernization of its port infrastructure, enhancing multimodal connectivity, and simplifying trade logistics. Key policies such as the ONOP (One Nation One Port), NLP (National Logistics Portal) – Marine, and MAITRI (Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047) are streamlining port services, reducing transaction times, and harnessing real-time digital intelligence for seamless operations.

Shri Sonowal also revealed India’s strategic collaboration with Singapore and the UAE in developing Virtual Trade Corridors, which aim to accelerate cargo movement, cut down bureaucracy, and foster integrated global supply chains. This is a significant step towards establishing India as a pivotal node in global maritime trade.

Bilateral and Multilateral Engagements

At SMW, Shri Sonowal held high-level bilateral meetings with key Singaporean leaders including Lee Hsien Loong, Senior Minister and former Prime Minister of Singapore, and Murali Pillai, Minister of State, Ministry of Law and Ministry of Transport. He also engaged in productive dialogues with Dr. Tan See Leng, Minister for Manpower and Second Minister for Trade and Industry, and Vivian Balakrishnan, Singapore’s Minister for Foreign Affairs. These discussions reinforced Indo-Singaporean maritime cooperation, especially in areas like digital innovation, maritime safety, sustainable energy, and trade facilitation.

The Minister highlighted India’s efforts in strengthening supply chain resilience, with corridors like the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC), the Eastern Maritime Corridor (linking Chennai with Vladivostok), and the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) taking center stage. These multi-regional routes aim to address global supply chain vulnerabilities and boost India's geostrategic influence.

Maritime Investment and Infrastructure Goals

India’s ambitious plans include a USD 20 billion investment to expand logistics capacity, modernize ports, and enhance trade facilitation mechanisms. By 2047, India aims to rank among the top five shipbuilding nations globally. The country’s ports, currently handling 6% of global cargo, are targeting a 15% share by 2047, driven by robust policy reforms and the establishment of a Maritime Development Fund for fleet and shipyard upgrades.

The rise of GIFT City (Gujarat International Finance Tec-City) as a global maritime finance and ship leasing hub is another milestone. Positioned as a gateway to international capital markets, GIFT City is poised to attract global maritime investments and support India’s vision of becoming a competitive maritime power.

Sustainability at the Core

A central pillar of India’s maritime future is sustainability and green innovation. The Minister laid out India’s roadmap for decarbonizing the maritime sector, including the development of Green Hydrogen Hub Ports at Kandla, Tuticorin, and Paradip, which will focus on alternative fuel adoption and renewable energy-based logistics.

India’s leadership role in the IMO’s Green Voyage 2050 initiative further demonstrates its commitment to assisting developing nations in their clean energy transitions. Shri Sonowal also unveiled the vision for the India-Singapore Green and Digital Shipping Corridor, which will promote smart logistics and low-emission shipping practices.

“Innovation and clean energy are no longer optional—they are the need of the hour,” stated the Minister. “We are investing in low-carbon technologies, upgrading green port infrastructure, and setting ambitious goals to align with global climate objectives.”

Engaging Global Industry Leaders

Shri Sonowal also held critical discussions with industry titans such as Jeremy Nixon, Global CEO of Ocean Network Express (ONE), and Masashi Hamada, as well as representatives from leading maritime companies including APM Terminals and Gateway Terminals. These meetings focused on fostering investment opportunities, building innovation partnerships, and scaling maritime capacity.

Conclusion: Maritime Unity for Shared Prosperity

Concluding his engagements at Singapore Maritime Week, Shri Sonowal emphasized the importance of global cooperation in addressing contemporary maritime challenges such as climate change, geopolitical tensions, digital disruption, and volatile trade patterns. He urged global maritime stakeholders to work collectively to transform these challenges into opportunities for a greener and more resilient maritime future.

“Our oceans unite us,” Shri Sonowal said. “Through partnerships, innovation, and shared responsibility, we can create a maritime ecosystem that is not just efficient and secure, but also inclusive and sustainable for generations to come.”

India’s active role at SMW 2025 reaffirmed its commitment to global maritime leadership, sustainability, and strategic collaboration—charting a course towards a prosperous future built on trust, innovation, and unity across the seas.