Jagdamba Prasad Pandey-
The Green Shipping Conclave 2025 was officially inaugurated on 20th February by Mr Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). The event, chaired by Mr Shantanu Thakur, Hon’ble Minister of State for the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, brings together industry leaders, policymakers, and experts to discuss innovation, cleaner fuel technologies, and India’s sustainable maritime policy.
Mr Shyam Jagannathan, Director General of Shipping, set the tone for the conclave, emphasizing the importance of sustainable shipping practices. Mr Thakur highlighted India’s commitment to a sustainable maritime sector and the ambitious Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.
Mr Dominguez stressed the need for international cooperation in achieving sustainable maritime goals and praised India’s efforts in building a resilient maritime industry. He also delivered the keynote address, focusing on the importance of innovation, cleaner fuels, and sustainable practices in the maritime sector.
The CEO Forum, themed “Green Navigators,” brought together esteemed leaders in the maritime industry to discuss the transition to green shipping practices. It was chaired by Mr Rajesh Kumar Sinha, IAS Additional Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, and co-chaired by Mr Jagannathan, the session aimed to explore challenges and opportunities in adopting sustainable maritime practices.
The forum featured a distinguished panel of experts, including Mr Anil Devli, CEO, Indian National Shipowners’ Association (INSA); Dr Malini Shankar, IAS, Vice-Chancellor, Indian Maritime University; Capt Binesh Kumar Tyagi, Chairman and Managing Director, The Shipping Corporation of India Ltd; Mr Arun Sharma, Executive Chairman, Indian Register of Shipping; Dr Sujata Naik, Chairperson, Tolani Maritime Institute; Mr Bharat K Seth, Deputy Chairman & Managing Director, GESCO; Mr CV Subba Rao, Managing Director, Sanmar Shipping; and Capt AK Azad, Nautical Adviser (I/c), Directorate General of Shipping.
The panel discussion highlighted the shipping industry’s crucial role in transitioning to green practices, despite contributing less than 3% to global pollution. The discussion emphasized the need for aligning policies with global best practices for green fuels, strengthening financial and regulatory support for green shipbuilding, and expanding shore-to-ship power infrastructure and renewable energy adoption.
The Green Shipping Conclave 2025 convened senior government officials, maritime experts, and industry leaders to discuss India’s green shipping policy. Chaired by Mr Sinha and Mr Jagannathan, the session focused on developing a comprehensive policy aligned with the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Revised GHG Strategy 2023. Discussions centred on green fuels, green
shipbuilding, port sustainability, and global collaboration, highlighting the feasibility of these initiatives in Indian ports.
The session “Green Capital: The Role of Green Finance in Maritime Decarbonisation” brought together experts to discuss the challenges and opportunities in transitioning to zero-carbon fuels in the maritime industry.
The discussion was led by Mr Deepak Shetty, Former DG Shipping, as the Session Chair, and Mr PK Mishra, Managing Director, Indian Register of Shipping, as the Convener. The panel comprised esteemed experts, including Mrs HK Joshi, Ex CMD, SCI; Mr Devli; Ms Surbhi Goyal, Senior Energy Specialist, World Bank Group; Mr Ambrish Bansal, SVP Consultancy, Lloyd’s Register; and Mr Jaikumar, Senior Specialist.
Key focus areas included expanding green finance instruments, mitigating risks and providing incentives, supporting technology and innovation, and promoting global standards and long-term investment. The panel praised the Government of India’s initiatives, such as the Maritime Development Fund and the enhanced Shipbuilding Financial Assistance scheme, which have the potential to drive maritime decarbonisation.
The panel chaired by Mr Sharma and convened by Mr Mishra, included experts such as Mr Mrinal Dutt, Mr Tarun Kumar, Ms Josefine Pallesen, Dr Arun Sharma, and Cmde Debesh Lahiri (Retd), conferred the future of green fuels in the maritime industry.
Key takeaways included accelerating green hydrogen and ammonia adoption, prioritizing green fuels, and focusing on market readiness and policy considerations.
Experts discuss transitioning to green ports, green ships, and international cooperation for sustainable maritime practices and concluded that the “high initial investments, technological integration complexities, and regulatory gaps are significant challenges in transitioning to green ports. However, green transitions offer substantial opportunities, including operational efficiency, environmental benefits, and global competitiveness. Key focus areas include renewable energy integration, shore-to-ship power, and green bunkering infrastructure.”
The conclave also discussed the adoption of green technologies in the maritime sector, focusing on fostering global partnerships and collaboration among ship designers, clients, and shipyards. Key takeaways include accelerating green fuel adoption, addressing engineering and supply chain challenges, and focusing on system integration and energy efficiency.
The experts highlighted the importance of global partnerships, collaborative innovation, green financing, and capacity building. Initiatives like the India-Norway Partnership for Maritime Sustainability and the International Solar Alliance are essential for accelerating decarbonisation.
Mr Dominguez met with Mr Sharma and senior officials from the Indian Register of Shipping (IRClass) for a roundtable discussion. They were joined by Mr Jagannathan, Director General of Shipping, and Mr Ajit Sukumaran, Chief Surveyor.
The meeting focused on IRClass’s role in the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO). They discussed policy mechanisms to accelerate the adoption of alternative fuels, global best practices in green shipping, and how to apply these practices to India’s maritime sector.
Mr Dominguez recently participated in a roundtable discussion with CEOs of Indian renewable energy producers, alongside Mr Jagannathan and Mr Sukumaran. The meeting highlighted India’s remarkable achievement of reaching 200 GW in renewable capacity and its ambitious goal of achieving 500 GW by 2030.
India is poised to become a major player in the global green hydrogen market, particularly in the production of green ammonia. The country’s competitive advantages in low-cost solar power and robust electrolyser production were major topics of discussion. The leaders emphasized India’s readiness to meet the growing global demand for zero-net-zero (ZNZ) fuels.
To accelerate the energy transition, the importance of IMO’s mid-term measures and stable financial incentives were underscored. This meeting demonstrates India’s commitment to sustainable energy and its growing role in the global renewable energy landscape.
The Technical Paper Presentation Forum at the Green Shipping Conclave 2025 provided a vibrant platform for professionals, academics, researchers, and students to share ground-breaking research and innovative solutions in the maritime sector. The forum encouraged knowledge sharing and collaboration, focusing on green shipping, emerging technologies, and sustainable maritime development.
Mr TK Sahu, JMD of Indian Register of Shipping, delivered a keynote address to inaugurate the technical paper session. Presentations covered topics such as lifecycle analysis of maritime fuels, alternative fuels, fuel cells in marine applications, shipping energy transition, and green shipping corridors development.
The forum demonstrated the maritime sector’s commitment to sustainability, green shipping, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Experts emphasized the importance of fuel flexibility, energy efficiency, and innovative technologies in reducing the maritime industry’s carbon footprint.
A session on green technologies for decarbonisation in the maritime industry discussed On-board Carbon Capture Systems and hybrid power drive systems. Another session focused on emerging technology, people, and circular maritime practices, covering topics such as AI, digital transformation, and cyber resilient network architecture.
A student session, “Green Sparks: Igniting Budding Mariners’ innovations in maritime sustainability,” provided a platform for students to showcase their innovative ideas and research on maritime sustainability.
The event aims to foster a sustainable maritime industry, and its outcomes are expected to shape the future of shipping in India and globally.
Union Minister Unveils Landmark Policy Documents to Transform Maritime Sector
Indian Ocean Centre for Excellence for Sustainable Maritime Transport (IOCE-SMarT): This initiative aims to establish a world-class hub for training, research, and innovation in sustainable maritime practices in India. It aims to drive growth in Indian Ocean Region through technological innovation, sustainability, and digitalization.
The National Green Shipping Policy (NGSP): This strategic initiative is designed to transition India’s maritime sector towards environmental sustainability, technological innovation, and global competitiveness. The NGSP envisions a sustainable maritime future, aligning national priorities with international goals and positioning India as a leader in green shipping.
Future Fuel Strategy (FFS): This comprehensive strategy aims to position India as a leader in the global green fuel market by adopting cleaner fuels, developing essential infrastructure, and fostering international collaboration. The strategy’s roadmap for implementation is structured around multiple scenarios to ensure a resilient and adaptable approach.
Centre of Policy Studies: A report by the Indian Maritime University on this topic was also released, highlighting the importance of policy studies in the maritime sector.
These documents demonstrate the Ministry’s commitment to sustainable maritime practices, green shipping, and reducing carbon emissions.
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