India Taps Japan’s Expertise to Power Maritime Vision, Eyes ₹3.2 Lakh Crore Investment

In a strategic push to transform India’s maritime ecosystem, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal met Japan’s Vice Minister Terada Yoshimichi in Oslo today, pitching India as a hub for green ports, smart islands, and next-gen shipbuilding.

Image Source: PIB India

The meeting saw India invite Japan’s top shipbuilders—Imabari, Mitsubishi, JMUC, and Kanagawa Dockyard—to invest in India’s shipbuilding sector. Japanese giants NYK Line, MOL, and K Line were also urged to explore joint ventures, as India eyes ₹3.2 lakh crore (¥5 trillion) in Japanese investments by 2027.

Sonowal underscored India’s readiness to collaborate on port digitisation, disaster-resilient infrastructure, and converting the Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep islands into “Smart Islands” with renewable energy and mobility solutions. He called Japan’s experience in island development “highly valued.”

On workforce collaboration, Sonowal highlighted India’s pool of 154,000 trained seafarers and offered structured programmes to upskill Indian maritime professionals in partnership with Japan.

India also proposed an MoU to boost cooperation between Japanese shipyards, Indian firms like Cochin Shipyard Limited, and universities. Thrust areas include sustainable technologies, ship design, and R&D in green shipping.

Sonowal invited Japan to partner in building the upcoming National Maritime Heritage Museum at Lothal, aimed at showcasing India’s maritime legacy.

“Japan is one of India’s most trusted partners,” said Sonowal. “This partnership will anchor our maritime growth under Vision 2047.”