NEW DELHI: India and the European Union (EU) have signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) for the India–EU Green Shipping Corridor Coalition at Sagarmanthan 2026: The Great Oceans Dialogue, marking a significant step towards strengthening sustainable maritime connectivity and accelerating the transition to cleaner shipping.
The initiative aims to connect India’s growing potential for green fuel production with Europe’s emerging demand for sustainable marine fuels, with a particular focus on green ammonia and green methanol. It seeks to bring together government bodies, ports, shipping companies and industry stakeholders to develop commercially viable pathways for low-emission maritime trade.
The LoI was signed in the presence of Shri Shantanu Thakur, Union Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, and Mr Apostolos Tzitzikostas, European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, underscoring the commitment of both sides to advancing practical cooperation in maritime decarbonisation.
Building a Green Maritime Trade Network
The India–EU Green Shipping Corridor Coalition is designed to help translate the shared ambition for sustainable shipping into practical implementation. Its work will focus on assessing green fuel supply and demand, evaluating port and transport infrastructure requirements, and identifying commercial opportunities for linking Indian fuel producers with European receiving ports and industrial buyers.
The Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) will serve as the technical partner, while industry stakeholders, including V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority, are expected to contribute to the development of the initiative. The coalition will help identify investment opportunities, strengthen partnerships and assess the conditions required to establish a scalable green shipping corridor.
Green Ammonia and Methanol at the Centre of the Transition
Green ammonia and green methanol are emerging as important alternative fuels in efforts to reduce the environmental footprint of shipping. Their wider adoption will depend on reliable production, competitive pricing, appropriate storage and bunkering infrastructure, and the availability of vessels and supply chains capable of using these fuels safely and efficiently.
By linking India’s renewable-energy and green-fuel production capabilities with European demand, the proposed corridor could create new opportunities for clean-energy trade while supporting the maritime industry’s longer-term decarbonisation objectives.
The initiative also provides a platform for closer collaboration between ports, fuel producers, shipowners, technology providers and investors to address the infrastructure and commercial challenges associated with the transition to low-emission shipping.
Sagarmanthan 2026: Advancing Global Maritime Cooperation
The announcement forms part of the broader discussions at the third edition of Sagarmanthan 2026, organised by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), Government of India, in partnership with the Observer Research Foundation (ORF), from 7 to 9 October 2026 in New Delhi.
The dialogue brings together policymakers, maritime industry leaders, port authorities, financial institutions and international partners to explore the future of maritime trade, connectivity, sustainability and the ocean economy. The India–EU Green Shipping Corridor Coalition reflects the event’s emphasis on turning international dialogue into practical partnerships and implementable solutions.
The signing of the LoI marks an important step towards developing stronger India–EU cooperation in green maritime trade. As the initiative progresses from assessment to implementation, it has the potential to support cleaner shipping routes, stimulate investment in green-fuel infrastructure and strengthen India’s role in the emerging global market for sustainable marine fuels.
