Sarbananda Sonowal, the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, attended Singapore Maritime Week (SMW) and spoke with world maritime experts about measures to ensure a safe, sustainable, and successful maritime future. He underlined India’s dedication to digitisation and future-ready shipping throughout the event, emphasising programs like ONOP, NLP (Marine), and MAITRI that are designed to improve real-time data sharing and streamline port operations.
Philippe Tabarot, the French Minister of Transport, and Lee Hsien Loong, the Senior Minister and former Prime Minister of Singapore, were among the important people Sonowal met with. The main goals of these talks were to improve bilateral relations and look for joint ventures in technology and investment in the maritime industry. In an effort to promote cooperation between the public and private sectors, he also met with prominent figures in the field, including Jeremy Nixon, Global CEO of ONE.
In his speech, Sonowal described India’s plans to improve supply chains and maritime connectivity by implementing key initiatives including the Eastern Maritime Corridor and the IMEEC. To boost India’s global cargo share from 6% to 15% by 2047, he planned a USD 20 billion investment to upgrade port facilities and operations.
Sonowal’s statements focused heavily on sustainability, highlighting projects like the creation of Green Hydrogen Hub Ports in Kandla, Tuticorin, and Paradip to encourage low-emission shipping. In order to help poor countries with their energy transitions, he also highlighted India’s leadership position in the IMO’s Green Voyage 2050 effort.
Sonowal concluded by restating India’s dedication to constructing a safe, inclusive, and environmentally friendly marine future via collaborations that may turn present difficulties into long-term potential. “Oceans unite us,” he said, highlighting the significance of teamwork in accomplishing these objectives.
