India is making waves in the global shipping industry by supplying green ships to traditional shipbuilding nations such as Norway, Germany, and the US. The move comes amid growing concerns about the environmental impact of the shipping industry, which is responsible for ferrying most of the world's goods but also emits large amounts of greenhouse gases. India's ambition to become a global shipping hub has received a boost from the recent delivery of two fully electric cargo ferries to Norway by state-run Cochin Shipyards Ltd (CSL). The company has also secured contracts for building vessels that will be fuelled by methanol and green hydrogen.
India's private sector is also contributing to the strengthening of domestic maritime manufacturing. Goa-based Chowgule and Co has bagged contracts for building eight electric hybrid cargo vessels from European clients. The Indian government is providing funds through the Shipbuilding Financial Assistance Policy to Indian shipyards to make India a sought-after destination for technologically advanced green ships.
According to Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, "most advanced countries are placing orders for vessels with Indian companies. This is a clear indication that 'make in India' is becoming successful, and the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative is getting strengthened." Indian shipbuilders are close to striking deals with companies in the US, Netherlands, Denmark, and West Asia, and contracts are also being looked at from neighboring countries such as Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar.
The minister also stated that Norway and India would cooperate on developing infrastructure for the manufacture of green passenger and cargo vessels that would be used for both the domestic and global markets. With new initiatives, Indian ports will have a globally visible green profile, and Indian shipyards can aspire to be a green tug building hub for the world. With the National Centre of Excellence in Green Ports and Shipping acting as a nodal entity for the industry, all such efforts will gain momentum, and India can position itself as a "Global hub for building 'Green Ships'."
The Maritime India Vision - 2030 provides a clear roadmap for bringing all-round improvement to the shipping industry, including port modernization and automation, coastal shipping, shipbuilding, ship repair, transition to renewable energy, increasing the share of Indian seafarers across the globe, developing transshipment hubs, cruise shipping, and augmenting capacities at the major ports. The focus is also on developing and operationalizing inland waterways for improved connectivity and creating an environment for a positive modal shift from road and rail to waterways.
India's move towards green shipping reflects a growing trend worldwide as the shipping industry seeks to reduce its environmental impact. The demand for green ships is expected to grow, and India's domestic shipbuilding industry is well-positioned to capitalize on this trend, becoming a major player in the global shipping industry.
