India is looking to harness the Netherlands’ globally renowned expertise in river engineering and water management to modernise its inland waterways, with a particular focus on the Brahmaputra and Barak rivers.
Union Minister for Ports, Shipping & Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal spotlighted the significance of this collaboration during a bilateral meeting with Brigit Gijsbers, Vice Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management of the Netherlands, on the sidelines of Singapore Maritime Week.
The discussions explored the potential application of Dutch expertise in dredging, advanced inland vessel technology, and sustainable navigation methods to enhance India’s riverine systems.
Highlighting the Netherlands’ leadership in water management, Sonowal proposed the adoption of state-of-the-art solutions such as shallow-draft push barges, modular vessels, and LNG-powered river transport to increase the efficiency of low-draft rivers like the Brahmaputra and Barak.
The two leaders also discussed the possibility of expanding the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on maritime cooperation to include areas such as waterway development, seafarer training, digital waterway management, and vessel maintenance.
The minister emphasised that collaboration with Dutch maritime institutes could prove instrumental in equipping India’s workforce with specialised skills, particularly in dredging operations and sustainable river navigation.
Sonowal invited Dutch companies, including Damen Shipyard and Van Oord, to invest in India’s maritime projects such as the Jal Marg Vikas Project (JMVP) and Brahmaputra River dredging.
The Netherlands’ advanced technological expertise, he asserted, could significantly improve cargo movement, making inland waterways more economically viable and environmentally sustainable.
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Discussions also touched upon the feasibility of establishing a Green Shipping Corridor between the Port of Rotterdam and major Indian ports such as Deendayal Port (Kandla) and VoC Port (Tuticorin).
The initiative is aimed at strengthening maritime trade while aligning with global sustainability objectives.
Reaffirming the commitment to strengthening the India-Netherlands maritime partnership, Sonowal stated, “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 agreement on Green Shipping Corridor
On the same day, Sonowal took part in the signing of a Letter of Intent (LOI) between India and Singapore to establish the Singapore-India Green and Digital Shipping Corridor (GDSC).
The agreement seeks to drive maritime decarbonisation and digitalisation by encouraging the adoption of low-emission technologies and digital solutions in shipping operations.
Addressing the India Business Roundtable, Sonowal outlined India’s maritime ambitions and the vital role of global partnerships in achieving these objectives.
“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 remarked.
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 the Singapore Cruise Centre to examine its infrastructure and explore the possibility of replicating similar models in key Indian ports such as Goa, Mumbai, and Chennai to bolster cruise tourism.
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