Mumbai, June 6 -- Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, witnessed the signing of several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and a Memorandum of Intent (MoI) between Indian maritime firms and global partners at the Nor-Shipping 2025 event in Oslo. These agreements signal deeper cooperation in shipbuilding, offshore infrastructure, sustainable shipping, and digital maritime technologies.
A major highlight was the MoI between Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd (GRSE) and Germany's Carsten Rehder Schiffsmakler und Rehder GmbH & Co. KG for the construction of four additional 7,500 DWT multi-purpose vessels. These hybrid-propulsion vessels will conform to the latest cyber security standards and follow an earlier order for eight such vessels currently under construction at GRSE's Kolkata yard.
GRSE also inked MoUs with Aries Marine LLC (UAE) for collaboration on offshore platforms and vessels, and with a global engine manufacturer for technical cooperation.
At the Norway Pavilion, Larsen & Toubro (L&T) signed a multi-sectoral MoU with Norwegian classification society DNV, covering shipbuilding, port infrastructure, energy systems, ESG services, cybersecurity, and digital maritime platforms.
Speaking at the event, Minister Sonowal praised the Indo-Norwegian partnership, calling it "a symbol of shared maritime tradition and sustainable development goals." He noted, "Under Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's leadership, India's maritime sector is transforming through flagship initiatives like Sagarmala, promoting modern ports, green shipping, and port-led industrial growth."
He also highlighted India's efforts in green port development, low-emission shipping, ship recycling, and the creation of green shipping corridors, all under the framework of the India-Norway Task Force on Blue Economy. Sonowal called for expanded cooperation in offshore wind energy, maritime digitalisation, and sustainable port development to strengthen the Indo-Pacific maritime ecosystem.
The Minister is leading a delegation of key Indian maritime firms, including both large players and MSMEs, such as L&T Shipbuilding, Goa Shipyard Ltd, Cochin Shipyard Ltd, GRSE, Yeoman Marine Services, Chowgule Shipbuilding, Synergy Shipbuilders, Swan Defence & Heavy Industries, and Marine Electricals, among others.
These strategic partnerships aim to accelerate India's ambitions in the global maritime sector by leveraging technological innovation, sustainability, and bilateral cooperation.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Construction World.