During a four-day visit to South Korea, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal emphasizes the potential for cooperation between India and Korean shipbuilding industries.
On October 25, 2026, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), Sarbananda Sonowal commenced a four-day visit to South Korea. The primary focus of the trip was to present India's maritime prospects to Korean industry, with an aim to strengthen shipbuilding cooperation between the two nations.
Sonowal started his journey in Busan, often referred to as the epicenter of Korea's maritime industry. During his visit, he engaged with Indian professionals working within Korean shipbuilding companies such as Samsung Heavy Industries, Hanwha Ocean, HD Hyundai, DNV, and the Indian Register of Shipping. India's Ambassador to South Korea, Gourangalal Das, welcomed the gathering and underscored the significance of their presence in Korea.
Das encouraged the professionals to view the VOYAGES framework, a cooperation platform encompassing shipbuilding, shipping, and maritime logistics between India and South Korea, as an opportunity for personal growth and India's maritime future. He emphasized that this government-adopted framework should be seen as more than just a formal agreement.
Sonowal highlighted India's ambition to establish itself as a leading competitor in the global shipbuilding sector, ship repair, maritime manufacturing, and logistics under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Maritime India Vision 2030 and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047. In September 2025, the Indian Cabinet endorsed a series of policy incentives for the sector.
Sonowal expressed the need for numerous shipbuilders, marine engineers, naval architects, designers, welders, project managers, and technology specialists in India. He encouraged the professionals to either bring their Korean experience back home or support Indian companies from Korea. 'You can serve as living bridges between your networks in both countries,' Sonowal said.
Sonowal invited practical suggestions from the community on three topics: enhancing shipyard productivity and project execution, developing a globally competitive skilled workforce, and deepening cooperation in technology, manufacturing, and innovation between Indian and Korean industries.
The itinerary includes meetings with leaders of global shipbuilding industries, interaction with the maritime industry bodies, and collaborations with maritime think tanks & research institutions.
Source:
Press Information Bureau
