India and the European Union (EU) have launched an industry coalition aimed at developing a green shipping corridor between the two markets, with a focus on cleaner maritime trade routes and the adoption of low-emission fuels.
The initiative was announced during the third edition of Sagar Manthan, where Shipping Secretary Vijay Kumar said the coalition would bring companies together to support the development of green shipping infrastructure and accelerate the maritime sector’s transition.
“Let Sagar Manthan 2026 be a platform where ideas become partnerships and partnerships become action. We will see in practice this evening with the launch of the industry coalition for the India EU Green Shipping Corridor and next month at the India Shipbuilding Investment Conclave in New Delhi,” Kumar said.
India-EU Green Shipping Corridor
The industry coalition is expected to provide a platform for companies and other stakeholders to work on cleaner maritime trade routes between India and the EU. The initiative comes as the shipping sector faces increasing pressure to reduce emissions while managing geopolitical disruptions, supply-chain vulnerabilities and technological changes.
Kumar said greater international cooperation would be required to strengthen supply-chain resilience, mobilise private investment in maritime infrastructure and ensure emerging economies can participate in the global transition towards cleaner fuels.
India Targets Higher Renewable Energy Use at Ports
India is also planning to increase the contribution of renewable energy to the overall energy consumption of its major ports. The government is targeting a renewable energy share of more than 60% by 2030 and over 90% by 2047.
The transition is also extending to port operations, with diesel-powered harbour tugs being progressively replaced by vessels using green power.
“Diesel harbour tugs are also being progressively replaced with green-powered vessels. Deendayal Port at Kandla, Paradip Port and V.O. Chidambaranar Port at Tuticorin have been identified as green hydrogen hubs for producing, storing and bunkering cleaner fuels,” Kumar said.
The three ports are being positioned to support the production, storage and bunkering of green hydrogen and other cleaner fuels, forming part of India’s broader maritime decarbonisation strategy.
India Plans Port Capacity Expansion
Alongside the energy transition, India is targeting a significant expansion of port capacity. The government aims to increase overall port capacity to 10 billion tonnes annually by 2047.
Major ports handled more than 915 million tonnes of cargo during 2025-26, compared with 581 million tonnes in 2014-15. Cargo transported through national waterways also increased to 218 million tonnes, from 18 million tonnes in 2013-14.
The launch of the India-EU green shipping corridor coalition comes as India seeks to combine port infrastructure expansion with cleaner fuels, renewable energy and lower-emission maritime operations.
