India pledges $20 billion to develop its maritime infrastructure: Sonowal

By Admin

06 Jun, 2025

A Bold Investment for Maritime Growth
India is taking a giant leap forward in transforming its maritime sector, with Union Minister for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, announcing a $20 billion commitment for maritime infrastructure development. This strategic investment focuses on enhancing port connectivity, multimodal logistics, and trade facilitation to align with India's growing role in global trade.

Green Hydrogen Hub Ports: Pioneering Sustainability
As part of its ambitious green transition, India is developing three Green Hydrogen Hub Ports Kandla, Tuticorin, and Paradip. These ports aim to support the production and export of green hydrogen and its derivatives. This initiative places India at the forefront of adopting alternative fuels within the maritime industry, promoting environmental sustainability and energy independence.

Showcasing Strength at Nor-Shipping Conference
During his address at the prestigious Nor-Shipping conference in Oslo, Sonowal highlighted India's dynamic maritime ecosystem. He pointed to the country's investment-friendly policies, robust shipbuilding capabilities, and innovative financing mechanisms as core drivers of maritime sector growth. His speech underscored India's readiness to be a global maritime hub.

Strengthening Global Connectivity and Collaboration
Sonowal also stressed the need for international partnerships in seafarer recruitment and skill development, calling for enhanced cooperation in the maritime labor market. Furthermore, he emphasized the significance of reinforcing maritime supply chains through key trade routes such as:

• The International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC)
  
  

• The Eastern Maritime Corridor (EMC)
  
  

• The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC)
  
  

These corridors are vital for boosting global trade efficiency and regional integration.

India’s Green Maritime Vision
Highlighting the importance of a sustainable maritime future, Sonowal reiterated India’s commitment to leading the global transition toward cleaner fuels and greener ports. The development of green hydrogen infrastructure at major ports not only supports environmental goals but also positions India as a leader in alternative fuel adoption in shipping.

A Strategic Visit to Strengthen Ties
The minister’s remarks came during his five-day official visit to Norway and Denmark, aimed at fostering maritime cooperation, exploring new collaborations, and promoting India’s maritime initiatives on the global stage.