India, Netherlands ink green maritime MoUs at IMW 2025

India took a major step towards a sustainable and globally connected maritime future as the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) led the opening of India Maritime Week 2025 in Mumbai. The first day witnessed the signing of landmark agreements worth about ₹55,000 crore with leading Indian and global companies, reinforcing the country’s commitment to green shipping, innovation, and investment-driven growth.

The inaugural Ministerial Plenary, chaired by Shri Shantanu Thakur, Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, and addressed by Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, brought together maritime ministers and delegates from over ten nations, including Norway, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Mauritius, and Sri Lanka.

A key highlight was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Maritime Cooperation between India and the Netherlands, along with a Letter of Intent to establish a Green and Digital Sea Corridor linking Indian ports with the Port of Rotterdam. The partnership aims to strengthen cooperation in clean fuels such as hydrogen, ammonia, and methanol, while promoting digital port operations and logistics innovation.

Several other MoUs were signed in the presence of Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal. These include agreements between Invest International and Indian Bank & ICICI Bank on maritime financing; between Dutch Climate Fund Managers and their Indian counterpart on the India Maritime Development Fund; between MARIN and the National Centre of Excellence for Green Ports and Shipping on research for green shipping technologies; and between the Port of Rotterdam and the Deendayal Port Authority (Kandla Port) for institutional cooperation and digital knowledge exchange.

A Dutch-funded market study titled “Indian Ports: Enabling Smart and Sustainable Port Development” by KPMG was also launched to assess India’s port infrastructure and identify opportunities for digital and green transformation.

Among the ₹55,000 crore worth of business MoUs were those signed with Adani Ports and SEZ, JSW Infrastructure, Chowgule & Company, Synergy Shipbuilders & Dock, Goa Shipyard, Abu Dhabi Ports Group, and Echandia Marine AB. These collaborations will focus on port expansion, shipyard development, skill-building, and green shipbuilding initiatives.

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said the MoUs reflect India’s integrated approach to building a clean, connected, and globally competitive maritime future. Minister of State Shantanu Thakur noted that sustainability and skilling are at the heart of India’s maritime transformation, driving progress toward Viksit Bharat 2047.

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Shri Nitin Gadkari, also addressed the session on innovative ship financing. He highlighted the sector’s USD 1 trillion potential and encouraged use of financial models like TOT, InvITs, and PPPs to attract private investment. He also released the CMEG (RIS) – India Maritime Report 2025-26, titled “Uniting Oceans, One Maritime Vision: India’s Maritime Strides.”

The Goa State Session, organised by the Mormugao Port Authority, was attended by Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant and saw the launch of the Goa Maritime Vision Document. MoUs worth ₹3,525 crore were signed in LNG and solar infrastructure, alongside ₹6,163 crore in strategic port projects.

The day also hosted Sagarmanthan: Great Oceans Dialogue and Amrit Kaal Sessions on ship financing and registration, featuring global experts, financiers, and policymakers. State sessions on Gujarat, Maharashtra, Odisha, and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands showcased regional maritime strengths and investment potential, underlining India’s growing role as a leader in sustainable and innovative maritime development.