Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal commenced his four-day trip to South Korea and promoted India’s maritime potential to the Korean industry as both nations aim to enhance shipbuilding collaboration.
Sonowal started the journey in Busan, which he referred to as the center of Korea's maritime sector, by meeting with Indian experts involved in Korean shipbuilding.
India's Ambassador to South Korea, Gourangalal Das, greeted the assembly and presented it to the community, comprising individuals from Samsung Heavy Industries, Hanwha Ocean, HD Hyundai, DNV, and the Indian Register of Shipping.
"Your presence in Korea, at the heart of one of the world's most advanced shipbuilding ecosystems, is a matter of pride for India," the statement said, quoting Sonowal.
Also Read: SalamAir Celebrates Launch of Flights to Erbil and Damascus
He encouraged them to view the framework established by the two nations in April, during South Korean President Lee Jae Myung's official visit to India, as something beyond just a governmental accord. The framework, named VOYAGES, encompasses collaboration in ship construction, transportation, and maritime logistics.
"I want you to see VOYAGES not merely as a government framework, but as a platform for your professional growth and for India's maritime future," Sonowal says.
Sonowal mentioned that India aspires to establish itself as a world-class hub for shipbuilding, ship repair, maritime manufacturing, and logistics through Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Maritime India Vision 2030 and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.
Sonowal stated that India will require numerous additional shipbuilders, marine engineers, naval architects, designers, welders, project managers, and technology specialists.
He requested the experts to either return their Korean experience to India or assist Indian companies from Korea.
Also Read: Nvidia Broadens Ties With Korean Component Makers
"You can act as vital connections between your networks in the two nations," Sonowal states. He urged them to guide young Indian professionals and to engage in the India Ship Technology Centre as well as in the shipbuilding skills collaboration between India and the Korea International Cooperation Agency.
Sonowal requested actionable ideas from the community on three topics: enhancing shipyard efficiency and project delivery, developing a competitively skilled workforce, and fostering stronger collaboration in technology, production, and innovation between Indian and Korean industries.
"We are looking for partnership with Korea in shipbuilding, shipping, ports and maritime logistics," Sonowal says.
Also Read: China’s DeepSeek Raises $15 Billion to Challenge Top US AI Labs
The agenda features gatherings with executives from international shipbuilding sectors, interactions with maritime industry organizations, and collaborations with maritime think tanks and research institutions.
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal is slated to join a ministerial roundtable in Busan for World Maritime Day, with participation from ministers representing significant maritime nations globally, along with the secretary-general of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) anticipated.