According to experts in the maritime industry, India has great potential to become a global center for green shipbuilding. 

India’s government has been focusing on developing substitute and renewable energy sources, which makes it an ideal place for eco-friendly shipbuilding.

A maritime expert, Cristina Saenz de Santa Maria, the Regional Manager for South East Asia, Pacific & India at DNV, a Norway-based certification and advisory service, said that India can modernize and upgrade its shipyards.

This will add new capacity for green shipbuilding to meet growing global demand while older dockyards are also being estimated for reopening to support this extend.

India’s step towards green energy like biofuels and wind power aligns well with its goal to support sustainable shipbuilding. The government is also encouraging investment and technology transfer from countries like Japan and South Korea to establish new shipbuilding and repair centers in India.

The move comes at a time when the traditional shipbuilding yards are already tied up with Asia, while demand for green maritime assets has suddenly increased. It is motivated by the international initiative to decrease greenhouse gas production — in line with the International Maritime Organization IMO goal for 2050.

In addition, the Mumbai Port Sustainability Foundation has signed an agreement with DNV, in a significant move towards sustainable shipping, positioning the company to play a larger role in India’s decarbonization efforts. This partnership aims to upgrade port infrastructure to support green ships and ensure a transition to cleaner energy sources.

The Indian government has emphasized its ambition to become one of the world’s top 10 shipbuilding nations by 2030 and aims to be among the top five by 2047. India has emerged as a stable market for DNV as the country continues to prioritize eco-friendly infrastructure upgrades in its maritime sector.

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