Japan's Yoshimichi Terada, Vice Minister for International Affairs at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, met with Sarbananda Sonowal, India's Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways in Oslo, Norway on June 2. (Courtesy of Government of India Press Information Bureau) , image credit: https://japan-forward.com/japan-india-maritime-ties-enter-a-new-era-of-smart-cooperation/
Japan–India Pact Accelerates Smart Ports & Green Maritime Growth
At the Nor-Shipping conference in Oslo on June 2, 2025, Japan’s Vice Minister Yoshimichi Terada and India’s Minister Sarbananda Sonowal affirmed a far-reaching maritime partnership. The pact centers on:
Smart Digital Ports
Both nations will integrate artificial intelligence, IoT, and blockchain into port operations to enhance efficiency, cargo tracking, and cost savings. Plans include shore-to-ship power hookups, hybrid propulsion, and other clean-energy systems to reduce carbon emissions.
Green Maritime and Smart Islands
Andaman and Nicobar, as well as Lakshadweep, are set to become living laboratories for sustainable maritime infrastructure. This includes renewable energy, climate-resilient ports, and smart mobility networks. Infrastructure upgrades will help protect vulnerable island communities from cyclones, tsunamis, and ecological stress.
Shipbuilding and Research & Development
Talks include greenfield collaborations with major Japanese shipbuilders such as Imabari, JMUC, and Mitsubishi, along with investment in Indian yards by companies like NYK Line, MOL, and K Line. The agreement also encourages co-development of next-generation vessel designs and training programs, aiming to equip maritime professionals from both countries with advanced skills.
India plans to leverage its pool of over 154,000 trained seafarers, with Japan supporting them through structured certification programs and employment opportunities. The upcoming National Maritime Heritage Museum at Lothal, Gujarat, is inviting Japanese partnership, highlighting cultural collaboration between the two nations.
This pact reinforces India and Japan’s shared commitment to maritime security, climate adaptation, and supply chain stability under frameworks like the Quad and the Supply Chain Resilience Initiative. India aims to attract ¥5 trillion (approximately ₹3.2 lakh crore) in Japanese investment by 2027, under the Maritime India Vision 2030 and Maritime Amrit Kaal 2047.
Trade efficiency will improve as smart ports reduce congestion and emissions, streamlining global trade flows. Green infrastructure aligns with global net-zero goals and protects fragile island ecosystems. The collaboration enhances India’s maritime manufacturing capabilities and strengthens Indo-Pacific strategic ties.
In summary, the Japan–India maritime pact signed in Oslo represents a blueprint for sustainable and future-ready maritime infrastructure. It exemplifies how digital innovation and environmental stewardship can transform the maritime domain.
