India and Norway are accelerating collaboration in green and digital maritime technologies, building on shared goals of sustainability, innovation and ocean stewardship. At the Nor-Shipping 2025 event in Oslo, India’s Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, held bilateral meetings with Norway’s Transport Minister Jon-Ivar Nygård and Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Policy Marianne Sivertsen Næss to advance cooperation in clean shipping, smart port infrastructure and the Blue Economy.
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Minister Sonowal emphasised that India is working at scale on green shipping solutions, including green tug transition, e-methanol bunkering and hydrogen-powered vessels, aligned with its Green Coastal Shipping Programme and the Maritime India Vision 2030.
A major focus was the electrification of ferry systems, where India expressed strong interest in leveraging Norway’s pioneering expertise. Both countries explored the potential to co-develop and manufacture electric ferries and vessels to meet emerging global demand.
India’s broader port modernisation agenda includes digitalisation, clean energy integration and public-private partnerships to transform ports into investment hubs and innovation engines. Drawing on the MAITRI initiative and Norway’s leadership in AI-powered port operations, digital twins and alternative fuels such as LNG and electric propulsion, both sides identified synergies to develop smart, low-emission maritime ecosystems jointly.
Both nations recognised the critical role of data and emerging technologies in achieving maritime sustainability goals. Discussions included integrating IoT and automation into port systems to enhance real-time visibility, security and operational efficiency. The potential for co-innovation in climate-resilient infrastructure and smart shipping corridors was also acknowledged as an important future step.
Norway’s success in deploying green maritime solutions is seen as a model for India’s inland waterway and coastal strategies. India seeks collaboration on best practices and technologies to optimise its extensive riverine and coastal transport network. The ministers also explored opportunities in logistics optimisation, digital port infrastructure and decarbonised cargo movement, underlining technology’s central role in driving a sustainable and efficient maritime future.
Beyond port and shipping digitalisation, the two countries discussed long-term cooperation in ship recycling, ocean renewable energy and sustainable fisheries. India highlighted the potential for collaboration at Gujarat’s Alang Ship Recycling Yard, focusing on green technologies and higher environmental and safety standards.
The partnership aims to support India’s shift to circular maritime practices with improved training, monitoring, innovation, technology, sustainability, infrastructure, safety, collaboration and waste management systems.
Minister Sonowal reaffirmed India’s commitment to gender equity in the maritime sector through initiatives like ‘Saagar Mein Samman’, which promotes the inclusion of women seafarers. He invited Norway to collaborate on advanced seafarer training in areas such as polar navigation, cybersecurity and emerging maritime technologies.
Both countries agreed that upskilling the maritime workforce is essential to support the digital and green transition. They discussed the potential for joint training programmes, exchange initiatives and capacity building in sustainable port operations and marine engineering. Such collaboration is expected to foster a future-ready workforce equipped to meet the evolving demands of a tech-enabled maritime industry.
A key strategic proposal was a joint feasibility study to operationalise the Northern Sea Route (NSR), a critical Arctic shipping corridor. India expressed interest in working with Norwegian agencies on Arctic R&D, ice-class vessel design and advanced navigational systems to ensure safe, efficient and environmentally responsible operations in extreme conditions.
The ministers acknowledged their long-standing maritime partnership, shaped by mutual respect, shared values and an unwavering commitment to sustainable development. Minister Sonowal highlighted the EFTA-India Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement as a milestone that reinforces bilateral economic ties.
“India and Norway are working together to build a digital, green and inclusive maritime future,” said Minister Sonowal. “The momentum we’ve created today will drive innovation, sustainability and transformative action in our maritime collaboration.”