Oslo: In a significant move to strengthen India’s maritime partnerships and global outreach, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, led a high-level business delegation to Oslo, where multiple Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed between Indian maritime companies and prominent global players.
A key highlight of the visit was the signing of a Memorandum of Intent between Germany’s Carsten Rehder Schiffsmakler und Rehder GmbH & Co. KG and India’s Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd (GRSE) for the construction of four additional 7,500 DWT multi-purpose vessels. These ships, featuring hybrid propulsion systems and advanced cyber security protocols, are in addition to an existing order of eight similar vessels currently under construction at GRSE’s Kolkata facility. GRSE also formalized partnerships with UAE-based Aries Marine LLC for the construction of offshore platforms and vessels, and signed an MoU with a leading global engine manufacturer.
Another major development during the visit was the signing of an MoU between India’s Larsen & Toubro (L&T) and Norway’s DNV. The agreement spans a wide array of collaborative areas, including shipbuilding, offshore and maritime ventures, expansion of port infrastructure, energy systems, industrial and smart infrastructure, sustainability, ESG services, digital platforms, and cyber security solutions.
Speaking at the Norwegian Pavilion, Sonowal praised Norway’s maritime heritage and technological advancements, noting the alignment between both nations’ vision for sustainable development. “Norway has long been a valued partner of India. As two proud maritime nations, we share a common commitment to sustainable, inclusive, and resilient growth,” he remarked.
The Union Minister emphasized the strides made by India in transforming its maritime sector under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. “Through initiatives like Sagarmala, we are modernizing port infrastructure, enabling multimodal logistics, and accelerating port-led industrial growth,” he said. He further pointed to the country’s focus on building green ports and promoting low-emission shipping solutions as integral components of its maritime policy.
Sonowal also reaffirmed India’s collaboration with Norway on green shipping corridors, decarbonisation, ship recycling, and capacity building. He highlighted the India-Norway Task Force on Blue Economy as a foundation for ongoing cooperation, with future opportunities in offshore wind energy, digital maritime systems, and sustainable port development.
The Minister is heading a diverse Indian maritime delegation representing both established and emerging players, including L&T Shipbuilding, Yeoman Marine Services, Chowgule Shipbuilding Division, Goa Shipyard Limited, Smart Engineering & Design Solutions (SEDS), Mandovi Dockyards, Synergy Shipbuilders, Buoyancy Consultants, Marine Electricals, Swan Defence & Heavy Industries, Shoft Shipyard, Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL), and GRSE.
