Tatsat Chronicle Magazine

India and Norway join hands for developing green maritime sector

November 18, 2022
Economy
David Dibert | PxHere

Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) is working with Norway to develop the maritime sector as a goal of MIV 2030. In this regard, the 8th Norway-India Joint Working Group Maritime meeting was held in Mumbai. The focus of the discussion was coopearation between India and Norway for developing a green maritime future.

Both governments presented their visions and plans for a green maritime sector. Additional, secretary MoPSW, Rajesh Kumar Sinha, highlighted that the partnership with Norway will help India in realising its maritime potential and help in creating a large pool of trained seafarers, which makes the two countries natural complementary partners.

India-Norway Joint Working Group meetings are held on a regular basis. The 7th JWG was held in Oslo in November 2019, in which issues regarding cooperation in shipbuilding, enhancing skills of seafarers and shipbreaking in an environment manner were discussed.

In the latest round, discussions were held on the use of alternative fuels like green ammonia and hydrogen for futuristic shipping. Norwegian Green Shipping Programme has been successful, and the experience and expertise were shared in the meeting. Norway stated that it is committed to India for zero emission solutions.

India and Norway are part of the Green Voyage 2050 project. Both parties agreed on willingness, devotion, partnership, and capacity building for achieving common goals.

India is a signatory to the Hong Kong Convention for recycling of ships. India also requested that EU regulation should not hinder ship recycling for non-European countries, which are compliant with international convention. Norway was requested not to prolong ship recycling to India as lot of investment has been made by Indian recyclers.

India has pressed upon cooperation in the field of maritime training and latest maritime technology like MASS etc. The Indian side also requested to extend shipboard training in the area of Polar Water Navigation.

“We also discussed how to further develop training and recruitment of seafarers. We need skilled and motivated seafarers to man our ships, and we need to get women on board”, added Norway’s Consul General to Mumbai, Mr Arne Jan Flølo.

“Ministry of Ports Shipping and Waterways has prepared Maritime India Vision 2030 identified more than 150 initiatives across various maritime sectors like ports, shipping and waterways focusing on capacity augmentation, operational efficiency improvement, growth in sectors related to ship building, recycling and repair, quality maritime education and also supporting growth of nascent sectors like cruise tourism in the country,” said Sinha.

The Norwegian delegation will also take part in INMARCO, the Green Shipping Conclave, and the Maritime ShEO conference. The Maritime ShEO conference is supported by Norway and focused on maritime diversity and sustainability, including gender equality in the maritime industry.

Ottar Ostnes Director General, Department of Maritime Policy and Coastal Development invited Indian delegation to Norway for next proposed 9th JWG meeting.