Union Minister Sonowal with Singapore's Transport Minister Dr Amy Khor in Singapore today.
Singapore: India and Singapore today signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) focused on maritime digitalization and decarbonization, known as the Digital Corridor Collaboration and Green Shipping initiative. This agreement was signed in the presence of Sarbananda Sonowal, the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, during a ceremony held today.
The LOI outlines a commitment from both nations to work together on projects related to maritime digitalization and decarbonization. This includes identifying key stakeholders who can contribute to these initiatives and aims to formalize their partnership through a memorandum of understanding for the Singapore-India Green and Digital Shipping Corridor (GDSC). Joining Sonowal at the event was Dr Amy Khor, Senior Minister of State for the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment and the Ministry of Transport in Singapore. The agreement was signed by Shri R Lakshmanan, Joint Secretary of MoPSW, and Teo Eng Dih, Chief Executive of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore.
India stands out as a significant player in the information technology sector and has the potential to emerge as a major producer and exporter of green marine fuels. Meanwhile, Singapore serves as a vital transshipment and bunkering hub, fostering a vibrant research and innovation environment. Once established, the Singapore-India GDSC will strengthen collaboration between the two countries, facilitating the rapid development and adoption of technologies that produce zero or near-zero greenhouse gas emissions, as well as the integration of digital solutions.
During the event, Sonowal highlighted that the signing of this pivotal Letter of Intent signifies a major advancement in bilateral cooperation aimed at modernizing maritime operations and promoting green shipping initiatives. The establishment of the Singapore-India Green and Digital Shipping Corridor is expected to foster innovation, expedite the implementation of low-emission technologies, and enhance digital integration within the industry. He emphasized that India’s capabilities in Information Technology and green fuel production, combined with Singapore’s status as a leading global maritime hub, will create new standards for sustainability and efficiency in the maritime field. He expressed enthusiasm for collaborating closely to develop a robust and future-ready maritime ecosystem that will benefit both countries and the international maritime community.
“We look forward to work closely to build a resilient, future-ready maritime ecosystem that benefits both nations and the global maritime industry,” he said.
Sonowal also held a bilateral meeting with Vice Minister Brigit Gijsbers of the Netherlands here on further deepening maritime cooperation between the two countries. He sought the Global Dutch Expertise for revamping India’s waterways rivers like Barak and Brahmaputra, and said, with their rich experience and global expertise in dredging, river engineering, India can enable its diverse and rich riverine system with effective dredging techniques, modern inland vessel technology and water management.
“The Netherlands’ expertise in shallow-draft push barges, modular inland vessels, & LNG-powered river transport presents a valuable opportunity for India. We are keen to adapt these technologies to enhance cargo movement in low-draft rivers like the Brahmaputra and Barak, making inland waterways more efficient, sustainable, and economically viable. We see great potential for Dutch collaboration in India’s major projects like the Jal Marg Vikas Project (JMVP) and Brahmaputra River dredging,” he said.
With bold reforms, resilient supply chains, and global collaborations like the India-Singapore Green and Digital Shipping Corridor, we invite the world to partner with us in shaping a sustainable and future-ready maritime economy,” he said.
The Union Minister also inaugurated the ‘India Pavilion’ along with Dr Amy Khor, Senior Minister of Singapore.
During the day, the Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal also visited Singapore Cruise Centre to understand the infrastructure and facilities that have helped Singapore to become a thriving cruise tourism destination. India aims to replicate such terminals in key locations like Goa, Mumbai and Chennai to provide a fillip to cruise tourism. Sonowal also met with key officials of the Singapore Chamber of Maritime Arbitration (SCMA) as well as top industry captains from the maritime sector of the Netherlands.
– global bihari bureau
