India, Japan Boost Maritime Ties With Green, Smart Initiatives
PORTS & SHIPPING

India, Japan Boost Maritime Ties With Green, Smart Initiatives

In a bid to strengthen bilateral maritime cooperation, India’s Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, met Japan’s Vice Minister for International Affairs, Terada Yoshimichi, of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport & Tourism (MLIT) in Oslo. The two sides discussed shipbuilding investments, port digitisation, green port projects, and human capital development.

Key discussions included sustainable maritime technologies, disaster-resilient infrastructure, and the development of India’s island territories like Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep into smart islands. Minister Sonowal highlighted opportunities in renewable energy, digital infrastructure, and smart mobility solutions, citing Japan’s experience in island development.

India invited leading Japanese shipbuilders such as Imabari Shipbuilding, JMUC, Kanagawa Dockyard, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to explore joint ventures with Indian yards. Greenfield investment prospects, including Imabari’s proposal in Andhra Pradesh, were discussed, alongside co-development of maritime industrial clusters.

Minister Sonowal urged Japan’s major shipping companies—NYK Line, MOL, and K Line—to invest in India’s growing maritime ecosystem. He stressed port digitisation and green port efforts under India’s Maritime India Vision 2030 and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.

Acknowledging long-standing India–Japan ties, Sonowal underlined collaboration within the Quad framework and the Supply Chain Resilience Initiative (SCRI), applauding Japan’s support for global sustainability forums like the International Solar Alliance and Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure.

Vice Minister Yoshimichi expressed Japan’s keen interest in maritime cooperation with India, noting past engagement in railway infrastructure and current plans to collaborate on shipbuilding and seafarer training.

India proposed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to foster collaboration between Cochin Shipyard Limited, Indian universities, and public agencies. The minister also emphasised the role of Indian seafarers, stating India’s existing base of over 154,000 trained seafarers could supplement Japan’s maritime workforce.

India’s National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) at Lothal was also discussed, with India seeking Japan’s partnership for the project. The NMHC is envisioned as a world-class centre for maritime heritage, tourism, and education.

Minister Sonowal extended an invitation to Japan to participate in India Maritime Week 2025, scheduled in Mumbai from 27th to 31st October, aiming to attract global stakeholders and investors to the maritime sector.

Concluding the session, Minister Sonowal reaffirmed India's goal to secure investments worth five trillion yen (around Rs 3.2 trillion) from Japan by 2027 and to advance joint efforts for a sustainable, innovation-driven maritime future.


In a bid to strengthen bilateral maritime cooperation, India’s Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, met Japan’s Vice Minister for International Affairs, Terada Yoshimichi, of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport & Tourism (MLIT) in Oslo. The two sides discussed shipbuilding investments, port digitisation, green port projects, and human capital development.Key discussions included sustainable maritime technologies, disaster-resilient infrastructure, and the development of India’s island territories like Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep into smart islands. Minister Sonowal highlighted opportunities in renewable energy, digital infrastructure, and smart mobility solutions, citing Japan’s experience in island development.India invited leading Japanese shipbuilders such as Imabari Shipbuilding, JMUC, Kanagawa Dockyard, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to explore joint ventures with Indian yards. Greenfield investment prospects, including Imabari’s proposal in Andhra Pradesh, were discussed, alongside co-development of maritime industrial clusters.Minister Sonowal urged Japan’s major shipping companies—NYK Line, MOL, and K Line—to invest in India’s growing maritime ecosystem. He stressed port digitisation and green port efforts under India’s Maritime India Vision 2030 and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.Acknowledging long-standing India–Japan ties, Sonowal underlined collaboration within the Quad framework and the Supply Chain Resilience Initiative (SCRI), applauding Japan’s support for global sustainability forums like the International Solar Alliance and Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure.Vice Minister Yoshimichi expressed Japan’s keen interest in maritime cooperation with India, noting past engagement in railway infrastructure and current plans to collaborate on shipbuilding and seafarer training.India proposed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to foster collaboration between Cochin Shipyard Limited, Indian universities, and public agencies. The minister also emphasised the role of Indian seafarers, stating India’s existing base of over 154,000 trained seafarers could supplement Japan’s maritime workforce.India’s National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) at Lothal was also discussed, with India seeking Japan’s partnership for the project. The NMHC is envisioned as a world-class centre for maritime heritage, tourism, and education.Minister Sonowal extended an invitation to Japan to participate in India Maritime Week 2025, scheduled in Mumbai from 27th to 31st October, aiming to attract global stakeholders and investors to the maritime sector.Concluding the session, Minister Sonowal reaffirmed India's goal to secure investments worth five trillion yen (around Rs 3.2 trillion) from Japan by 2027 and to advance joint efforts for a sustainable, innovation-driven maritime future.

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Mount Invests Rs 250 Cr, Adds PUF & PEB Plants, 400+ Jobs

TUMKUR, Karnataka, January 8, 2025 - Mount Roofing & Structures Private Limited, one of India's  fastest-growing manufacturers in PUF and a leading solutions provider across Pre-Engineered Building  (PEB) and Polycarbonate sheets, simultaneously inaugurated its second fully automated continuous  Sandwich Panel manufacturing line and a new PEB manufacturing plant at its integrated campus in  Tumkur." The milestone expansion, part of a total investment of INR 250 crores, marks a significant  advancement in the company's commitment to engineered performance, manu..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Titan Intech Strengthens UltraLED Push With Global LED Veteran

Titan Intech has announced the induction of global LED industry veteran Su Piow Ko to its Board of Directors, marking a strategic step in strengthening its UltraLED Displays roadmap and building globally competitive LED display solutions from India.The appointment aligns with Titan Intech’s ambition to position India as a hub for advanced, high-quality LED display manufacturing. With an increased focus on UltraLED Displays, the company aims to enhance technical governance, raise manufacturing standards and expand its presence across global markets.Su Piow Ko brings over three decades of inte..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Dun & Bradstreet Flags New Growth Engines in India 2026 Outlook

Dun & Bradstreet has released its India 2026: D&B’s Perspective report, projecting a stable macroeconomic environment underpinned by fresh opportunities for productivity-led and inclusive growth. The report outlines how India’s next growth phase will be driven by digitised logistics, trusted data ecosystems, clean energy and rising city vitality.According to the outlook, India’s GDP growth is expected to reach around 6.6 per cent by FY2027, supported by resilient consumer demand and sustained public investment. Manufacturing is seen entering a new phase, moving beyond scale towar..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Open In App