India To Become A Major Shipbuilding Hub By 2047: Sarbananda Sonowal

India is rapidly expanding port infrastructure and improving ease of doing business. These efforts have boosted port efficiency, cargo flows, and investor confidence, said Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal.

Speaking at Singapore Maritime Week (March 24-28), Sonowal outlined India’s shipbuilding ambitions.

“Through policy incentives, ease of doing business, and infrastructure upgrades, we aim to be among the top five shipbuilding nations by 2047,” he said.

India is also pushing for a green and sustainable maritime future.

“We are modernizing ports with green infrastructure, promoting low-emission shipping, and developing low-carbon vessels,” he stated.

The country is setting up three Green Hydrogen Hub Ports—Kandla, Tuticorin, and Paradip – to support green hydrogen production and alternative fuels in shipping.

“We are also developing Green Shipping Corridors, including the India-Singapore Green and Digital Corridor, to enhance clean energy, smart logistics, and sustainability,” Sarbananda Sonowal added.

Sonowal stressed the need for digitalization and innovation in shipping. He highlighted Gujarat’s GIFT City, which is emerging as a global maritime finance and ship leasing hub.

Its tax-friendly policies and regulatory framework attract investors.

India has committed $20 billion to infrastructure development.

The focus is on multi-modal logistics, port connectivity, and trade facilitation.

Indian ports handle 6% of global cargo today. This share is expected to rise to 15% by 2047.

India is also partnering with the UAE and Singapore to create Virtual Trade Corridors.

These digital links will speed up cargo movement.

“We are developing key trade routes like the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, the Eastern Maritime Corridor, and the International North-South Transport Corridor,” Sonowal said.

During his three-day Singapore visit, Sonowal is exploring partnerships to strengthen India’s maritime sector.

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