India and Singapore have solidified their partnership on a Green and Digital Shipping Corridor (GDSC) with the signing of a Letter of Intent (LoI) at the Singapore Maritime Week (SMW) in Delhi on Tuesday. Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, played a key role in a series of high-profile events and bilateral meetings during his visit to Singapore.
He also participated in the signing ceremony of the LoI on maritime digitalization and decarbonization in New Delhi, joined by Dr. Amy Khor, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment, and Ministry of Transport, Singapore.
The LOI was signed by R. Lakshmanan, Joint Secretary, MoPSW, and Teo Eng Dih, Chief Executive of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore. Under this collaboration, both nations will work on digitalisation and decarbonisation projects, aiming to establish a Singapore-India Green and Digital Shipping Corridor (GDSC). This partnership seeks to accelerate the adoption of low-emission technologies and digital innovations in maritime operations, boosting sustainability and efficiency in the sector.
Highlighting India’s technological prowess, Sonowal remarked, “With India’s expertise in information technology and green fuel production, along with Singapore’s role as a global maritime hub, this partnership will set new benchmarks in sustainability and efficiency.”
During his visit, Sonowal held a bilateral meeting with Brigit Gijsbers, Vice Minister of the Netherlands, discussing potential collaboration in enhancing inland waterways, particularly in low-draft rivers like Brahmaputra and Barak. Sonowal emphasized the importance of Dutch expertise in river engineering and modern inland vessel technology, noting that such collaboration would support projects like the Jal Marg Vikas Project (JMVP).
At the ongoing Singapore Maritime Week (SMW), Sonowal inaugurated the ‘India Pavilion’ alongside Dr. Amy Khor. He also inaugurated the IRClass Pavilion, where he highlighted India’s emergence as a global maritime hub driven by sustainability and digital innovation. Sonowal stated, “Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we are transforming ports into clean energy-driven investment hubs, decarbonising shipping, and fostering shipbuilding excellence.”
Additionally, the Union Minister visited the Singapore Cruise Centre, exploring its facilities with an intent to replicate similar infrastructure in India, particularly in key locations like Goa, Mumbai, and Chennai, to boost cruise tourism. He also met with officials from the Singapore Chamber of Maritime Arbitration (SCMA) and leading industry representatives from the Netherlands’ maritime sector.
