THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

NEW DELHI, OCTOBER 8, 2026

India's maritime future will be written by its young people, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said on Thursday, as India expanded maritime cooperation with Saudi Arabia, Belgium, Bhutan and other countries while pushing investments, green shipping, port connectivity and skill development at the Sagarmanthan: The Great Oceans Dialogue 2026.

On the second day of the global maritime dialogue, Sonowal held bilateral meetings with Saudi Arabia, Belgium and Bhutan, carrying forward India's maritime partnerships across the Gulf, Europe and the neighbourhood, while placing youth and women at the centre of the country's maritime growth story.

In talks with a delegation from the Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani), Sonowal discussed Saudi participation in major Indian port projects, including Vadhavan and Galathea Bay. The discussions also covered cooperation in shipbuilding, seafarer training and resilient supply chains, with Saudi Arabia expressing interest in investing in India's port projects as well as the Maritime Development Fund (MDF).

With Flemish Minister for Mobility, Public Works, Ports and Sport Annick De Ridder, Sonowal proposed exploring a green shipping corridor linking Indian ports with Antwerp-Bruges, while the two sides discussed green fuels, smart port technologies and dredging. VOC Port has also signed an agreement with the Port of Antwerp to build capacity in green shipping and green fuel.

During his meeting with Bhutan's Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Lyonpo Chandra Bahadur Gurung, Sonowal highlighted National Waterway-2 and the Jogighopa terminal as potential gateways for Bhutan to access global trade. The two sides discussed the potential of the Manas and Sankosh rivers, their connectivity with national waterways and ways to improve cargo movement. They also discussed maritime training opportunities for Bhutanese youth at the Centre of Excellence in Dibrugarh, which is under development.

"Our talks with Saudi Arabia, Belgium and Bhutan show how India's maritime partnerships are growing across regions," Sonowal said, adding that India is exploring investments in ports, shipbuilding and resilient supply chains with Saudi Arabia, while working with Belgium on a green shipping corridor and smarter ports and with Bhutan on opening the Brahmaputra as a gateway to global markets.

At sessions titled 'The Future is Blue: The Next Maritime Generation' and 'Ocean Changemakers: Women, Youth and India's Maritime Journey', Sonowal heard directly from young Indians and women about their aspirations for the maritime sector. An all-women tri-service sailing expedition also participated in the programme and inspired women cadets.

India's seafarer workforce has expanded sharply from 1.27 lakh to 3.23 lakh over the past 12 years, taking the country from the fifth position in 2015 to the world's second-largest supplier of seafarers, with Indian professionals accounting for more than 12 per cent of the global workforce.

The number of active women seafarers has also increased from 1,599 in 2021 to 7,033 in 2025, supported by the Sagar Mein Samman initiative. India has set a target of increasing the participation of women in the maritime workforce through Mission 20% by 2030.

To strengthen the pipeline of skilled maritime workers, shipyard-ITI partnerships now provide 150 hours of on-the-job training, while a structured six-month onboard programme for GP Rating and Maritime Catering trainees is aimed at bridging the gap between pre-sea training and life at sea.

"India's maritime future will be written by the youth," Sonowal said. "Today, our seafarers are trusted and respected on every ocean, and more women than ever are choosing careers at sea. We are building the skills, institutions and opportunities so that every young Indian who dreams of the sea can help lead the world's maritime economy."

The second day of Sagarmanthan also featured discussions on securing global trade chokepoints, strengthening the role of the Global South in maritime affairs, artificial intelligence in maritime operations, green ports, equity in ocean futures, BRICS+ connectivity and green shipbuilding.

Separately, Union Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Shantanu Thakur held bilateral meetings with Greece, Lithuania, Mozambique and Myanmar, seeking to deepen India's maritime cooperation across Europe, Africa and the Bay of Bengal region.

In his meeting with Greece's Deputy Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy Stefanos Gkikas, Thakur discussed strengthening India-Greece maritime cooperation. With Lithuania's Minister of Transport and Communications Juras Taminskas, he proposed a work plan for the memorandum of understanding between the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority and the Port of Klaipėda, besides discussing direct shipping links and green port cooperation.

With Mozambique's Minister of Transport and Logistics João Jorge Matlombe, Thakur offered India's expertise in ports, shipbuilding, ship repair and seafarer training. His discussions with Myanmar's Deputy Minister of Transport U Tun Lu focused on the next phase of Sittwe Port, cross-border inland water trade and maritime safety in the Bay of Bengal.

"From the Baltic to the Bay of Bengal, India is ready to share its strengths in ports, shipbuilding and seafarer skills so that we can grow together with our partners," Thakur said, underlining India's focus on green shipping, connectivity and capacity building.

Addressing a press conference at Sagarmanthan, Sonowal said India had moved from "maritime potential to maritime performance" under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Minister of State Shantanu Thakur and Shipping Secretary Vijay Kumar also accompanied him.

Over the past 12 years, India's port capacity has increased from 1,561 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) to 2,817 MTPA, while cargo handled has risen from 1,052 million tonnes to 1,668 million tonnes. Inland waterways cargo has surged from 29 million tonnes to 218 million tonnes, while median container vessel turnaround time has fallen from 35 hours to 23 hours.

Sonowal also highlighted the growing international footprint of Sagarmanthan, saying participation had increased from more than 1,700 delegates representing 61 countries in 2024 to participants from more than 70 countries this year, including 10 visiting ministers. The dialogue has also produced more than 100 publications aimed at strengthening India's contribution to the global maritime order.

India is simultaneously stepping up efforts to develop green hydrogen, ammonia and methanol capacity, with the objective of transforming Indian ports into green-fuel bunkering hubs in line with the country's Net Zero 2070 commitment.

Calling for a shift from dialogue to concrete action, Sonowal said India was ready to work with international partners on joint research, investment and technology partnerships.

"India is ready to work with the world for safer seas, greener shipping and shared prosperity," he said.