Indian Maritime Firms Ink Key Deals for Shipbuilding and Green Technology at Nor-Shipping in Oslo
Indian maritime companies have significantly advanced their global collaborations by signing several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with leading international firms at the Nor-Shipping event in Oslo, Norway, on Thursday, June 5th. Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, who attended the signing ceremonies, lauded these agreements as a substantial boost to India's "Make in India" initiative and its ambitions in the global maritime sector, particularly in advanced shipbuilding and sustainable technology.
Strategic Partnerships Forged
Kolkata-based Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd (GRSE) featured prominently, signing a Memorandum of Intent with Carsten Rehder Schiffsmakler und Rehder GmbH & Co. KG of Germany for the construction of an additional four 7,500 DWT multi-purpose vessels. These vessels will feature hybrid propulsion and adhere to the latest cybersecurity norms, adding to an existing order of eight similar ships currently under construction at GRSE. Furthermore, GRSE inked strategic MoUs with Aries Marine LLC from the UAE for collaboration on "Construction of Offshore platforms and Vessels," and with an unnamed global engine manufacturer.
In another significant development, India's Larsen & Toubro (L&T) group signed an MoU with Norway’s DNV. This comprehensive agreement covers collaboration across multiple sectors including shipbuilding, offshore and maritime infrastructure, energy systems, industrial solutions, smart infrastructure, sustainability and ESG services, software, and cybersecurity solutions.
Fostering 'Make in India' and Sustainable Maritime Growth
Minister Sonowal hailed these agreements as pivotal for India's maritime prowess. "It gives me immense pleasure that many Indian companies are signing MoUs including those from Norway, further deepening our commitment to collaborate in maritime sector," he stated. He emphasized that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, India's maritime sector is undergoing a "bold transformation" through initiatives like Sagarmala, focusing on modernizing port infrastructure and promoting green shipping. He highlighted the potential for collaboration with Norway in offshore wind energy, maritime digitalization, and sustainable port development, noting the existing strong India-Norway Task Force on Blue Economy as a cornerstone for this engagement.
The series of agreements signed at Nor-Shipping underscore India's proactive efforts to integrate its maritime industry with global leaders, fostering technological exchange and attracting investment. These collaborations, particularly in areas like advanced vessel construction and green maritime solutions, are poised to significantly enhance India's domestic manufacturing capabilities and its standing as a key player in the sustainable global maritime ecosystem.
