India Set to Emerge as Global Hub for Green Shipping Corridors

India is positioning itself as a global hub for green shipping corridors, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said during India Maritime Week (IMW) 2025.

Highlighting that over 95% of India’s trade by volume moves through the sea, he emphasised the maritime sector’s central role in achieving the nation’s Net Zero by 2070 goal. The event, themed “Uniting Oceans, One Maritime Vision,” brought together international policymakers and industry leaders to advance sustainable maritime development.

Sonowal outlined India’s roadmap to reduce carbon emissions per ton of cargo by 30% by 2030 and 70% by 2047. Key initiatives such as Sagarmala, Maritime India Vision 2030, Harit Sagar Guidelines, and the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 are driving this transformation. He also noted that under the National Green Hydrogen Mission, ports like VOC, Paradip, and Deendayal are being developed as green hydrogen hubs, with over 12 million metric tonnes of e-fuel capacity already announced.

India’s new national shore-power standard will soon allow vessels to draw clean electricity while docked, reducing port emissions. Green and Digital Shipping Corridors (GDSCs) with Singapore and Rotterdam, launched earlier this year, are set to enhance clean energy trade and strengthen India’s position in sustainable maritime logistics. Reports on green hydrogen, e-fuels, zero-emission trucking, and port performance were also released during the event.

Sessions with Sweden and Norway underlined growing maritime partnerships in technology, automation, and clean energy. Meanwhile, discussions on port modernisation, inland waterways, and cruise tourism reinforced India’s vision for a greener, digitally integrated, and resilient maritime ecosystem. “India’s maritime renaissance is anchored in sustainability, innovation, and collaboration,” Sonowal concluded.

India's positioning as a green-shipping-corridor hub creates real infrastructure, fuel and offtake opportunities for maritime operators and their supply-chain partners - and CII compliance moves from theoretical to operational once corridors are in play. Our energy-transition and supply-chain-and-operations teams help clients evaluate corridor participation, CII compliance and Scope 3 maritime-emissions disclosure.