The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal reaffirmed India’s commitment to global maritime sustainability and international cooperation while speaking after inaugurating the Green Shipping Conclave, 2025 in Mumbai today. The conclave was also attended by the Secretary General of International Maritime Organisation (IMO), His Excellency Arsenio Dominguez — a gesture appreciated by the Union Minister Shri Sarbananda Sonowal terming it a new milestone in India and IMO partnership for global maritime sustainability. 

Speaking at the event, the Union Minister, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal said, “India stands at the forefront of a global maritime revolution—one that prioritise sustainability, innovation, and environmental stewardship. Under the visionary leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, we are not just adapting to change; we are driving it. Through initiatives like the ‘Harit Sagar Green Port Guidelines’, the ‘Green Tug Transition Programme’, and the ‘National Green Hydrogen Mission’, we are transforming our ports and shipping industry into beacons of sustainability. The recently announced ₹25,000 crore Maritime Development Fund is aimed at catalysing investments in green infrastructure, alternative fuels, and fleet modernisation, ensuring that India remains a leader in decarbonisation. Sustainability is not merely a regulatory obligation—it is an economic opportunity and a moral responsibility. As we build strategic green corridors and enhance international collaborations with IMO and BIMSTEC, our message to the world is clear: India is committed to a cleaner, greener, and more resilient maritime future. India committed to Global Maritime Sustainability in sync with PM Narendra Modi ji’s vision of Viksit Bharat.”

The Green Shipping Conclave, 2025 marked a pivotal moment in India’s green maritime transition. The conclave served as a high-impact platform for policy dialogues, technical discussions, and roundtable meetings, engaging key stakeholders from the industry, government, and academia. Among the significant discussions, the IMO Secretary-General chaired a CEO Round Table on Renewable Energy, focusing on clean fuel investments and green port infrastructure.

The Union Minister of State, Shri Shantanu Thakur highlighted India's ambitious green shipping initiatives under the Maritime India Vision 2030 and Amrit Kaal Vision 2047. Speaking on the occasion, Shri Shantanu Thakur said, “India is leading the maritime sector’s green transformation through clean energy, sustainable ports, and innovative shipbuilding. With bold policies, global collaborations, and investments in alternative fuels, we are setting new benchmarks for decarbonisation. Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, the ministry has chalked out the Maritime India Vision 2030 and Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, which are the blueprint towards empowering our maritime sector and enabling it to become greener, cleaner and sustainable. Together, we are shaping a resilient, eco-friendly maritime future.”

Key areas of focus included Green Energy promoting cleaner fuels like green hydrogen, ammonia, biofuels, and LNG through the National Green Hydrogen Mission. It also held discussions on Green Ships with advancements in low emissions, hybrid, and fully electric vessels with the government programmes like Green Tug Transition Programme (GTTP) and Harit Nauka initiative. The conclave also highlighted India’s effort to convergence of Green Ports with policy initiatives like Sustainable Ship Recycling Programme at Alang, adhering to Hong Kong Convention standards.

His Excellency Arsenio Dominguez, the Secretary General of IMO acknowledged India’s strategic role in global shipping, highlighting its contributions towards sustainable maritime development, alternative energy solutions, and international regulatory collaboration.

The valedictory session, presided over by the Union Minister Shri Sarbananda Sonowal and Shri Rajesh Kumar Sinha, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, outlined India's roadmap for a sustainable maritime future. In his concluding remarks, His Excellency, Arsenio Dominguez reiterated the IMO’s commitment to supporting India’s maritime transition through capacity-building, financial mechanisms, and technical cooperation. The Green Shipping Conclave 2025 and the IMO Secretary-General’s visit reinforced India's position as a global leader in sustainable maritime practices. These engagements have deepened India-IMO cooperation, paving the way for advancements in decarbonization, alternative fuels, and digital transformation in the maritime industry.

The Green Shipping Conclave, 2025 was organised by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, the Directorate General of Shipping, the Institute of Marine Engineers (India). The conclave aimed at converging pioneering ideas and perspective to shape India’s leadership in maritime innovation, environmental sustainability and regulatory advancements aligning with the global goals of collective decarbonisation effort.

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G.D. Hallikeri / Henry

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