The Minister’s programme includes participation at India Maritime Week, the opening of the Norwegian pavilion, and meetings with Indian authorities, business representatives and seafarers.
Norway and India have broad cooperation in the maritime sector, with emphasis on green shipping and shipbuilding, recruitment and gender equality, and maritime safety.
“India is the world’s most populous country with a strong maritime tradition. Norway is small in population but a major maritime nation, and we share the ambition to cut emissions and promote green maritime technology. Closer cooperation will help increase value creation in the maritime industry and contribute to a more sustainable global shipping sector. India’s ambition to become one of the leading shipbuilding nations presents great opportunities for Norwegian suppliers of green technology and sustainable maritime solutions,” says Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Policy Marianne Sivertsen Næss.
While in Mumbai, the Minister will open Maritime SheEO, an international conference that brings together women leaders and professionals from the shipping and maritime industries. The conference is an important arena for promoting gender equality and diversity in the sector.
“We need enough people with the right competence and motivation to choose a career in the maritime sector. India is the second most important country for recruitment of crew to the Norwegian foreign-going fleet. The green transition and digitalisation are changing the requirements across the entire industry. At the same time, we know that women are still in the minority. We also know that diversity is essential for growth, innovation and a safer working environment,” she says.
The Free Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement between the EFTA States and India entered into force on 1 October. The agreement opens for increased Norwegian exports to India, including zero tariffs on certain seafood products such as frozen salmon. The agreement may contribute to greater trade flows between Norway and India, and thereby increased activity in the shipping industry.
“This Government seeks to promote open international trade and has signed trade agreements with a number of countries since 2024. The agreement with India is not only about liberalising trade; it also provides an opportunity to strengthen our cooperation, for example in maritime technology and innovation,” says Næss.