India’s Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal called his three-day visit to Singapore “a great learning experience”, as India and Singapore signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) to establish a Green and Digital Shipping Corridor (GDSC) on March 25.
The agreement aims to accelerate maritime digitalisation and decarbonisation while strengthening the long-standing maritime relationship between the two nations.
The Singapore-India GDSC will facilitate the adoption of zero or near-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emission technologies and promote digital solutions in maritime operations.
The initiative aligns with India’s vision of sustainable and technology-driven port development, which has been a key focus under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership.
The signing was witnessed by Singapore’s Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and Environment Amy Khor and Mr Sonowal during the Singapore Maritime Week 2025, which was held from March 24 to 28.
Since its launch in 2022, the GDSC initiative has expanded to over 28 stakeholders across maritime, energy and finance sectors.
Singapore, as a key transshipment and bunkering hub, and India, a leader in green fuel production and IT innovation, will work together to establish best practices for decarbonisation and digital innovation in shipping.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Mr Sonowal highlighted that “India’s strength in IT and green fuel production, combined with Singapore’s role as a global maritime hub, will set new benchmarks for sustainability and efficiency in the sector.”
The LoI paves the way for both nations to identify key stakeholders, initiate pilot projects and eventually formalise a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the full implementation of the GDSC.
During the Singapore visit, Mr Sonowal inaugurated the India Pavilion at the Singapore Maritime Week.
The pavilion showcased India’s efforts in modernising ports, decarbonising shipping and driving maritime digital innovation.
At the India Business Roundtable, Mr Sonowal emphasised India’s growing influence as a maritime hub, fuelled by sustainability, innovation and strategic partnerships.
He invited global investors to participate in India’s transformation of ports into clean energy-driven investment hubs and its push for shipbuilding excellence.
The minister outlined India’s ambitious maritime modernisation plan, including making India a top-five global shipbuilding nation by 2047.
Mr Sonowal also met several Singaporean leaders, including Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Manpower Minister Tan See Leng and Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan.
The discussions covered strengthening maritime and supply chain connectivity, developing sustainable shipping routes, expanding shipbuilding and repair collaboration and promoting investment in India’s logistics infrastructure.
Mr Balakrishnan emphasised the historic ties between India and Singapore in a Facebook post, stating: “For millennia, the sea has connected our two nations, carrying trade, culture and ideas. Today, our partnership remains vital as India’s maritime sector powers its rapid growth.”
