Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), was on a 5-day official visit to Norway and Denmark, which commenced on June 02, 2025, aimed to bolster maritime ties.
- He was accompanied by senior officials from MoPSW, Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Limited (GRSE), Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB), Karnataka Maritime Board (KMB), Government of Andhra Pradesh (AP), Andhra Pradesh Economic Development Board (APEDB), Guidance Tamil Nadu, and leading large and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) Shipyards.
- During the visit, he participated at the High-level Meeting on Oceans during the 60th edition of the Nor-Shipping event in Oslo, Norway.
- He also hold a bilateral meetings with ministerial counterparts from Japan, Norway and Denmark, and engage with leading European shipping companies, component manufacturers, and technology developers.
Highlights of the visit to Norway:
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal arrived in Norway on a three-day official visit from June 2 to 4, 2025, aimed at enhancing bilateral cooperation in the maritime sector
Nor-Shipping 2025:
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal led India’s delegation at Nor-Shipping 2025, marked the 60th anniversary of this premier maritime event, in Oslo, Norway.
- Nor-Shipping 2025 was held with the theme “#Future-Proof,” from June 2 to 6, 2025.
i.India showcased its maritime aspirations with the debut of the ‘India Pavilion,’ inaugurated by Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and HRH Crown Prince Haakon Magnus of Norway.This was for the 1st time India participated in this premier global maritime event.
- The pavilion highlighted India’s commitment to sustainable maritime development and innovation.
ii.Union Minister showed the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) model to the Norwegian Prince at the pavilion. The NHMC is currently being developed at Lothal, Gujarat.
iii.He also presented a commemorative plaque inspired by the Harappan civilization to the Crown Prince.
India & Norway Agreed to Strengthen Maritime Cooperation:
i.Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal held bilateral meetings with Jon-Ivar, Transport Minister of Norway as well as with Marianne Sivertsen, Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Policy of Norway, on the sidelines of Nor-Shipping event.
- The meetings aimed to further strengthen the maritime relationship and explore possibilities of cooperation between India and Norway.
Key Points:
i.Both countries also agreed to bolster cooperation and exchange experiences on ferry system electrification, drawing inspiration from Norway’s successful implementation of the initiative.
ii.During the meeting Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and Denmark’s Fisheries Minister reviewed cooperation in ship recycling, seafarer training, sustainable fisheries, offshore hydrocarbons and ocean Renewable Energy (RE).
- Both Ministers considered Alang hip Recycling Yard in Gujarat as a potential site for joint initiatives to promote sustainable ship-breaking practices.
iii.The Government of India (GoI) proposed a joint feasibility study with Norway for operationalising the Northern Sea Route (NSR), with partnership in Arctic navigation, research and development in Arctic shipping, and the design of ice-class vessels.
iv.Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal became the 1st India Minister to visit the ‘Minnehallen Memorial’ in Stavern, Norway, where, he paid homage to 86 Indian seafarers who made the ultimate sacrifice during the World War-II.
India Pledged USD 20 billion for Infrastructure Development:
While addressing the India Country Session, India @Nor-Shipping, Sarbananda Sonowal highlighted that India has committed USD 20 billion(approximately Rs 1.67 trillion) for infrastructure development, with primary focus on enhancing multimodal logistics, port connectivity, and trade facilitation.
Key Points:
i.During the event, Union Minister also called for greater collaborations for seafarer recruitment.
ii.He also underscored strengthening of maritime connectivity and supply chains with strategic corridors like: India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridior (IMEEC), the Eastern Maritime Corridor (EMC), and the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC).
iii.He emphasized the need for a green and sustainable maritime future and he informed that India is setting up 3 Green Hydrogen Hub ports i.e. at Kandla (Gujarat), Tuticorin (Tamil Nadu, TN) and Paradip (Odisha).
Indian Maritime Firms Bagged Shipbuilding deals:
Indian maritime firms signed key Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with leading global players in the maritime sector during the Nor-Shipping event 2025.
- These agreements reinforce India’s Maritime Vision 2047, showcasing strengthened global partnerships and capability building in strategic maritime sectors
Details of Key MoUs:
i.Kolkata (West Bengal, WB) based Indian defence Public Sector Undertaking (PSU), Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Limited(GRSE) has signed a Memorandum of Intent (MoI) with Germany based Carsten Rehder Schiffsmakler und Rehder GmbH & Co. KG, for the construction of an additional 4 numbers of 7,500 Deadweight Tonnage (DWT) Multi Purpose Vessels (MPVs). The agreement will be formalized by August 31, 2025.
ii.GRSE has signed a MoU with Kongsberg (Norway) based firm Kongsberg Maritime AS, to co-design and build India’s 1st ever Polar Research Vehicle (PRV) indigenously. The MoU marks a major milestone in India’s ambitions to bolster its polar research capabilities and scientific presence in the Arctic and Antarctic regions. The proposed PRV will be constructed at GRSE’s facilities based in Kolkata, WB.
- The proposed vessel will support a various scientific missions like: climate research, oceanography, and polar logistics.
- It will use Vasco da Gama (Goa) based National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) for research activities in the polar and southern ocean realms.
iii.GRSE has also signed MoU with Dubai (the United Arab Emirates, UAE) based M/s Aries Marine LLC, independent engineering and design firm, for construction of offshore platforms and vessels.
- As per the MoU, both entities will jointly identify offshore construction opportunities based on Aries’ design expertise, with GRSE will be responsible for the project execution.
- Apart from it, GRSE has signed another MoU with a global engine manufacturer to enhance its engine integration capabilities.
iv.Mumbai (Maharashtra) based Larsen & Toubro Limited (L&T) has signed an expansive MoU with Oslo based Det Norske Veritas (DNV) to explore joint initiatives across multiple sectors, during the Union Minister Sonowal visit to the Norway pavilion.
- Key areas of collaboration covered in the MoU are: shipbuilding, offshore & maritime and expanding port infrastructure, energy systems, industrial solutions and smart infrastructure, sustainability, and Risk Services, Software, cyber security, platforms and digital solutions.
Note: Currently, India operates 3 research base stations in the polar regions such as Bharti, Maitri (both in Antarctica), and Himadri (in the Arctic region).
Bilateral Meeting with Japan’s Vice Minister:
In June 2025, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal held a bilateral meeting with His Excellency, Terada Yoshimichi, Vice Minister for International Affairs, and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport & Tourism (MLITT), Japan in Oslo.
- During the meeting, discussions were held on various areas to strengthen maritime relations between the two countries: investment by Japanese Shipyards, collaboration on port digitisation and green port initiatives, increase in Research & Development (R&D) cooperation, upkilling human resources, and employment of Indian seafarers in Japan among others.
Key Points:
i.Also, Ministers of both countries discussed about using sustainable technologies, disaster-resilient infrastructure, and improved connectivity to enable Andaman Nicobar islands and Lakshadweep to be converted into Smart Islands.
ii.Also, Union Minister invited Vice Minister Terada Yoshimichi to participate at the Indian Maritime Week, 2025 which is scheduled to be held in Mumbai, Maharashtra between October 27 and October 31, 2025.
- He highlighted that India secured 3rd position globally in building general dry cargo vessels for the European short sea trade.
Highlights of the Visit to Denmark:
Following his official visit to Norway, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal arrived in Denmark to further strengthen bilateral maritime cooperation.
India & Denmark Exchange Views on Bilateral Maritime Collaboration under GSP:
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal held a bilateral meeting with Morten Bodskov, Minister of Industry, Business and Financial Affairs, Government of Denmark, during his visit to Denmark from June 05-06, 2025.
- During the meeting, Ministers of both countries exchanged views on bilateral maritime collaboration under the Green Strategic Partnership (GSP) and the MoU on Maritime Affairs.
- Both Ministers reaffirmed GSP, as mutually agreed upon by PM Narendra Modi and PM of Denmark, Mette Frederiksen.
Joined Hands to Establish CoE in Green Shipping:
During the bilateral meeting, leaders of both countries highlighted the significance of the bilateral MoU on maritime affairs signed in 2024, which includes the establishment of Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Green Shipping.
- The newly established CoE is aimed to enhance the quality and efficiency of maritime activities while promoting the green transition of the maritime sector in India.
Key Points:
i.Both Ministers agreed that the Indo-Danish CoE will conduct a pre-feasibility study to contribute to their development.
iii.They also recognised the Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller Centre for Zero Carbon Shipping (MMMCZCS) and the National Centre of Excellence for Green Port and Shipping (NCoEGPS)as key institutions to frame a specific project plan for the development of a Green Corridor and will also work in close partnership with the MoPSW, other relevant Indian Ministries.
NMHC Signed MoU with Denmark’s Maritime Museum, Elsinore
Lothal (Gujarat) based NMHC has signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) with Maritime Museum of Denmark located in Elsinore(Denmark, to enhance collaboration in the preservation and valorization of cultural heritage related to maritime heritage.
- The newly signed LoI outlines a framework for cooperation to study, exchange, or demonstrate common maritime heritage, share technical know-how, and conduct joint research on common maritime heritage.
Other Key Highlights:
i.In June 2025, GRSE announced that it has signed two strategic MoUs during an official delegation visit to Sweden and Denmark. Both these MoUs aim to bolster its maritime engineering portfolio and explore opportunities in expedition cruise vessels
- GRSE signed a MoU with Hono (Sweden) based Berg Propulsion Production AB, a global leader in the development, manufacturing, and supply of marine propulsion systems. This MoU aims to use the combined capabilities and technical expertise of both organisations towards the manufacture of propulsion-related equipment and systems.
- GRSE signed another MoU with Denmark based M/s SunStone, a leading provider of expedition cruise missiles in Copenhagen, Denmark. This MoU aims to foster future collaboration in the area of expedition cruise missiles.
ii.Union Minister Sonowal interacted with the students of the ‘Blue Master Business Administration (MBA)’ at the Copenhagen Business School(in Frederiksberg, Denmark) on economic opportunities that India’s high-growth journey presents for future managers and leaders.
About Norway:
Prime Minister(PM)– Jonas Gahr Store
Capital- Oslo
Currency- Norwegian Krone (NOK)
About Denmark:
Prime Minister(PM)– Mette Frederiksen
Capital- Copenhagen
Currency- Danish Krone (DKK)
