India Wraps Up Nor-Shipping 2025 Visit with Renewed Maritime Collaboration with Norway
Oslo, June 8, 2025 — The third and final day of the Indian official delegation’s visit to Nor-Shipping 2025 culminated in a series of impactful engagements, strengthening the maritime ties between India and Norway. Led by the Hon’ble Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, the Indian delegation concluded its tour with a strong message: India is committed to sustainable maritime development and global cooperation for a greener shipping future.
A defining moment of the day was the high-level bilateral meeting between Minister Sonowal and H.E. Jon-Ivar Nygård, Minister of Transport, Norway. The two leaders exchanged insights into maritime advancements, with a particular focus on Norway’s exemplary progress in electrifying its ferry systems. Minister Nygård shared how Norway’s success was driven by robust government policy support, public-private cooperation, and breakthrough innovations in green technologies. India expressed keen interest in adopting best practices and exploring joint initiatives in clean ferry operations and coastal transport electrification.
Strategic Partnerships Cemented at Norway Pavilion
The Indian delegation’s visit to the Norway Pavilion proved equally transformative. Hosted by Mr. Lars Erik Lunøe, CEO of Telenor Maritime and Chairman of the Norwegian Maritime Exporters (NME) board, the delegation was introduced to some of Norway’s most influential maritime technology pioneers.
A pivotal highlight during this visit was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between DNV and India’s engineering giant Larsen & Toubro (L&T). This agreement aims to enhance collaboration in areas such as decarbonization, maritime safety, and next-generation ship design, reinforcing the longstanding relationship between Indian and Norwegian maritime stakeholders.
The pavilion also showcased advanced solutions from leading Norwegian companies, including:
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Vestnes Ocean AS – pioneers in sustainable marine interiors.
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Telenor Maritime – offering cutting-edge ship connectivity solutions.
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Comrod – leaders in advanced antenna and communications systems.
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NAVTOR – trailblazers in digital navigation and e-Navigation platforms.
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Kongsberg Maritime – innovators in automation, energy-efficient ship systems, and offshore solutions.
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Brunvoll AS – specialists in propulsion and maneuvering systems.
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HAV Group ASA – working at the intersection of zero-emission technologies and ship design.
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Norwegian Electric Systems (NES) – developers of integrated electric and hybrid systems for marine vessels.
The immersive tour allowed the Indian officials to engage directly with tech developers and explore real-time demonstrations of hydrogen-based propulsion, smart energy management, and artificial intelligence applications in maritime operations.
India Country Session: Driving the Maritime Future
One of the day’s most insightful events was the India Country Session, a platform designed to discuss India’s evolving maritime landscape and the opportunities it presents for global partners. The session featured comprehensive discussions on:
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Strengthening India’s shipbuilding ecosystem through modernization, localization, and global partnerships.
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Ship recycling as a cornerstone of circular economy, especially in light of India’s commitment to the Hong Kong Convention.
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Green port transformation, with a focus on turning major Indian ports into clean energy hubs powered by solar, wind, and green hydrogen.
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Innovative financing models to support maritime infrastructure growth, technology upgrades, and blue economy initiatives.
Norwegian maritime leaders offered their perspectives during the session, including representatives from KONGSBERG, DNV, Norwegian Shipowners’ Association, Port of Oslo, Eksfin (Export Finance Norway), and Sveinung Oftedal, Special Director at the Ministry of Climate and Environment, Norway. The dialogue was rich and constructive, with both sides agreeing on the urgent need for scalable green solutions and global regulatory coherence in tackling maritime emissions.
A Step Toward a Greener Maritime Horizon
As the delegation wrapped up its visit, Minister Sonowal reflected on the significance of the engagements, stating:
“India’s maritime vision is not only about economic growth, but also about environmental stewardship. Our interactions here at Nor-Shipping reaffirm the importance of international collaboration in achieving sustainable and inclusive maritime progress. We are inspired by Norway’s leadership and look forward to a stronger Indo-Norwegian maritime partnership.”
India’s participation in Nor-Shipping 2025 also signals its growing role on the global maritime stage. As one of the fastest-growing blue economies, India aims to double its port capacity, digitize port logistics, expand shipbuilding, and lead in green shipping innovation.
With this visit, India has not only reinforced diplomatic and commercial maritime relations with Norway but also positioned itself as a forward-looking player committed to environmental sustainability, circular economy principles, and technology-driven maritime transformation.
The delegation will now take home valuable insights from one of the world’s most advanced maritime nations, with actionable ideas for electrification, automation, and decarbonization — all critical for shaping the future of Indian shipping.
As Nor-Shipping 2025 draws to a close, both nations have laid the groundwork for deeper cooperation in the years to come. The commitment to innovation, resilience, and climate action will remain central to this evolving partnership, with the promise of a cleaner and more sustainable maritime industry guiding the journey ahead.
