Union Minister Shri Sarbananda Sonowal delivered the keynote address at the India Country Session, India@Nor-Shipping in Oslo, where he outlined India’s strategic maritime growth ambitions. He emphasised the nation’s favourable investment climate, shipbuilding capacity, green port initiatives, and innovative financing to position India as a leading maritime force.

Speaking at the event, Sonowal stated that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, India is progressing towards the goals of Viksit Bharat and Atmanirbhar Bharat, with the maritime sector playing a pivotal role in enabling resilience, sustainability, and global connectivity. He noted India’s port expansion, logistics integration, and ease-of-doing-business reforms are already showing results through greater cargo volumes and growing investor interest.

He spotlighted major strategic corridors such as the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC), Eastern Maritime Corridor (EMC), and the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), as critical to India’s global trade ambitions. India has committed USD 20 billion to multimodal logistics and port infrastructure to support this transformation and aims to be among the top five shipbuilding nations by 2047.

India’s green maritime strategy also featured prominently. The Minister announced the development of Green Hydrogen Hub Ports at Kandla, Tuticorin, and Paradip, to support the production and use of alternative fuels. He reaffirmed India’s leadership in the IMO's Green Voyage 2050 programme, aiding developing nations in energy transitions.

At a dedicated session titled “India: The Resurgent Shipbuilding Destination,” delegates were introduced to India's expanding shipbuilding ecosystem—backed by modern infrastructure, scalable capacity, policy support, and international partnerships. India’s ambition is to become a global hub for sustainable vessel production.

Sonowal also discussed India’s maritime digital transformation through platforms like ONOP (One Nation - One Port Process), National Logistics Portal (Marine), and MAITRI (Virtual Trade Corridor), which unify port services and enhance real-time transparency for trade stakeholders.

In another session on ship recycling, India showcased its Hong Kong Convention (HKC)-compliant and environmentally regulated framework. This system was presented as central to the global circular economy, alongside India’s port-led decarbonisation strategy which includes green fuel production hubs for hydrogen and ammonia.

India’s role as the second largest supplier of seafarers to Norwegian vessels was also acknowledged, with Sonowal encouraging stronger Indo-Norwegian partnerships for maritime workforce development.

Investment discussions featured the proposed Maritime Development Fund, aimed at unlocking private capital through blended finance models. India presented institutional frameworks to support risk-sharing and long-term maritime investment.

The event was attended by key global stakeholders including Helene Tofte (Norwegian Shipowners’ Association), Sveinung Oftedal (Ministry of Climate and Environment, Norway), Ingvar Mathisen (Port of Oslo), Padmanabhan R.H. (GRSE), Rear Admiral G.K. Harish (L&T), and others. Their participation reaffirmed India’s growing influence as a sustainable, modern, and inclusive maritime leader on the global stage.