Singapore: India is turning to the Netherlands for their globally acclaimed expertise in river engineering and water management to transform its inland waterways, particularly the Brahmaputra and Barak rivers.
Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal emphasised the importance of this collaboration during a bilateral meeting with Brigit Gijsbers, Vice Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management of the Netherlands, held on the sidelines of Singapore Maritime Week.
The discussions delved deeply into the potential for Dutch expertise in dredging, advanced inland vessel technology, and sustainable navigation practices to modernise India’s riverine systems.
Highlighting the Netherlands’ global leadership in water management, Sonowal proposed adopting state-of-the-art technologies, including shallow-draft push barges, modular vessels, and LNG-powered river transport, to boost the efficiency of low-draft rivers like the Brahmaputra and Barak.
The leaders also discussed extending the scope of the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on maritime cooperation.
Areas of focus included waterway development, seafarer training, digital waterway management, and vessel maintenance.
The minister stressed that collaboration with Dutch maritime institutes could play a pivotal role in equipping India’s workforce with specialised skills, particularly in dredging operations and sustainable river navigation.
Sonowal invited Dutch companies such as Damen Shipyard and Van Oord to invest in India’s maritime projects, including the Jal Marg Vikas Project (JMVP) and Brahmaputra River dredging.
He underscored the Netherlands’ capacity to offer advanced solutions that could significantly enhance cargo movement and make inland waterways more economically viable and environmentally sustainable.
The possibility of establishing a Green Shipping Corridor between the Port of Rotterdam and India’s major ports, such as Deendayal Port (Kandla) and VoC Port (Tuticorin), was also explored.
This initiative could further bolster maritime trade while aligning with global sustainability goals.
During the meeting, both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the India-Netherlands maritime partnership.
Sonowal remarked, “India and the Netherlands have a long-standing relationship in maritime cooperation, and this collaboration can provide mutually beneficial opportunities in green shipping, digitalisation, and inland waterways development.”
India, Singapore sign LOI on Green Shipping, Digital Corridor collab
On the same day, Sonowal participated in the signing of a Letter of Intent (LOI) between India and Singapore to establish the Singapore-India Green and Digital Shipping Corridor (GDSC).
This initiative focuses on decarbonization and maritime digitalisation, promoting the adoption of low-emission technologies and integrating digital solutions into the shipping industry.
Addressing the India Business Roundtable, Sonowal highlighted India’s maritime ambitions and the critical role of international partnerships in realising these goals.
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“Under the visionary leadership of PM Narendra Modi ji, we are transforming India into a global maritime hub by driving sustainability, fostering shipbuilding excellence, and embracing bold reforms in port and shipping infrastructure,” he stated.
As part of his engagements, Sonowal inaugurated the ‘India Pavilion’ and the IRClass Pavilion at Singapore Maritime Week, showcasing India’s maritime potential.
He also visited Singapore Cruise Centre to study its infrastructure and explore ways to replicate similar models in key Indian ports like Goa, Mumbai, and Chennai to promote cruise tourism.
The initiatives and discussions led by the union minister in Singapore underscore India’s commitment to advancing maritime sustainability and innovation through international partnerships.
