– Pratik Bijlani –
On August 12, the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) hosted the Leaders’ Dialogue on Green and Digital Maritime Corridors at India’s largest container port, setting the stage for India Maritime Week 2025. The event was marked by the presence of dignitaries including Maharashtra Chief Minister Mr Devendra Fadnavis, Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister Mr Gan Kim Yong, and senior Indian maritime leaders.
Mr Unmesh Wagh, Chairman of JNPA, opened the dialogue by highlighting JNPA’s global efficiency and strong partnerships, particularly its collaboration with the Port of Singapore, which accounts for nearly half of JNPA’s capacity. He expressed optimism for India Maritime Week 2025, projected as a landmark event that will bring together over 100 countries and major global investors.
Secretary Mr TK Ramachandran underlined the urgency of making global shipping sustainable and digitally advanced, noting that maritime transport contributes nearly 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions. He positioned green and digital shipping corridors as “strategic platforms for transformation,” with the India-Singapore corridor being a flagship initiative aligned with India’s Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.
A key highlight was the announcement of a new Memorandum of Understanding between Maharashtra and Mapletree, with the Singapore-based firm committing ₹3,000 crore towards logistics, industrial parks, and data centres. Singapore’s Acting Minister of Transport, Mr. Jeffrey Siow, also lauded India’s foresight in maritime infrastructure, while Union Minister Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, through a video message, reaffirmed India’s commitment to sustainable, innovation-driven shipping.
Mr Fadnavis underscored the strategic importance of the India–Singapore partnership, noting that the two nations are working closely across multiple domains. “India and Singapore are collaborating in diverse fields—maritime trade, port-led infrastructure, digitization, data centres, and logistics. This collaboration is not just about trade; it is about creating a holistic ecosystem that integrates sustainability, technology, and efficiency. The establishment of green and digital maritime corridors will be a game changer, enabling us to reduce emissions, enhance competitiveness, and build resilient supply chains for the future.”
He further highlighted Maharashtra’s pivotal role as India’s gateway for global trade, reaffirming the state government’s support for major investments such as Mapletree’s ₹3,000 crore commitment to logistics, industrial parks, and data centres. According to him, such collaborations will anchor Maharashtra’s ambition to emerge as a global maritime and logistics hub.
Echoing this vision, Mr Yong placed the dialogue in the broader context of six decades of strong bilateral relations. “As Singapore and India celebrate 60 years of diplomatic ties, there is significant room for us to deepen and expand our collaboration, particularly in the maritime sector. Singapore is committed to working with India in building future-ready ports, advancing digitalisation, and accelerating the shift towards low- and zero-carbon shipping. These green and digital maritime corridors are not just infrastructure projects; they are pathways to sustainable growth and global connectivity.”
He emphasized that Singapore’s experience as a global transshipment hub and India’s growing role as a manufacturing and export powerhouse complement each other, creating opportunities for both nations to jointly shape the future of international maritime trade.
The dialogue concluded with a shared vision to create maritime corridors that are sustainable, smart, and globally connected. By combining green energy initiatives with digital innovations, India and Singapore aim to strengthen supply chains, modernize port infrastructure, and set new benchmarks for climate-resilient, future-ready global maritime trade.
Marex Media