As part of MIV 2030, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways (MoPSW) is collaborating with Norway to improve the marine industry. In this regard, Mumbai hosted the 8th meeting of the Norway-India Joint Working Group on Maritime. Cooperation between India and Norway to create a green maritime future was the main topic of debate.
Both countries discussed their ideas and strategies for creating a green maritime industry. Additionally, Rajesh Kumar Sinha, secretary of the Ministry of Public Service and Welfare, emphasised that the partnership with Norway will assist India in realising its maritime potential and assist in the creation of a sizable pool of trained seafarers, making 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.
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