JUNE 05: India’s maritime sector marked a significant milestone at the Nor-Shipping 2025 exhibition in Oslo, Norway, with several major companies signing strategic agreements with global players. Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, led the Indian delegation, underlining the government’s vision of a sustainable and globally connected maritime future.
One of the key announcements came from Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd (GRSE), Kolkata, which signed a Memorandum of Intent (MoI) with Carsten Rehder, a German shipping company, for the construction of four additional 7,500 DWT multipurpose vessels. These vessels, featuring hybrid propulsion systems and cutting-edge cybersecurity standards, will add to the existing eight vessels already under construction at GRSE’s Kolkata yard.
GRSE also formalized collaborations with Aries Marine LLC, UAE, focusing on offshore platform and vessel construction, and signed an MoU with a global engine manufacturer to enhance technical cooperation in shipbuilding innovation and energy-efficient marine solutions.
Another highlight of the event was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Larsen & Toubro (L&T), one of India’s premier engineering firms, and Norway’s DNV. This partnership spans multiple domains, including shipbuilding, offshore infrastructure, energy systems, smart infrastructure, ESG compliance, cybersecurity, and maritime software solutions.
During his address at the Norwegian Pavilion, Minister Sonowal praised Norway’s leadership in maritime sustainability and highlighted the strengthening India-Norway maritime relationship. “This collaboration will give further thrust to the Make in India mission. We are committed to developing a sustainable, inclusive, and resilient blue economy,” the Minister stated. He emphasized the importance of ongoing cooperation in green shipping corridors, ship recycling, offshore wind energy, and port digitalization.
Sonowal also reiterated the Modi government’s focus on transforming the maritime sector through initiatives like Sagarmala, which aims to modernize ports, improve logistics, and enable port-led industrial development. He noted that India’s maritime policy now strongly aligns with global sustainability goals.
The Indian delegation to Nor-Shipping included prominent names from both large enterprises and MSMEs, such as L&T Shipbuilding, Cochin Shipyard Ltd, Goa Shipyard Ltd, Smart Engineering & Design Solutions, and others, showcasing India’s expanding maritime capabilities on a global stage.
This strong showing at Nor-Shipping 2025 reflects India’s strategic vision to position itself as a leading hub for green, innovative, and collaborative maritime development.