MUMBAI/NEW DELHI : Denmark’s Minister for Business and Competitiveness, H.E. Martin Lidegaard, undertook a two-day visit to India on November 2–3, 2026, aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation in maritime affairs, shipping, port infrastructure, trade, investment and industrial development.
The visit marked an important step towards expanding the India–Denmark Green Strategic Partnership, with particular emphasis on developing new commercial opportunities, strengthening maritime connectivity and promoting sustainable shipping and port operations.
Maritime Cooperation and Green Shipping Take Centre Stage
During his Mumbai engagements on November 2, Minister Lidegaard visited APM Terminals Mumbai, also known as Gateway Terminals India, at Jawaharlal Nehru Port. The terminal is operated by APM Terminals, part of the Danish shipping and logistics major A.P. Moller–Maersk Group.
The visit provided an opportunity to explore India’s growing container trade potential, port infrastructure development, operational efficiency and the adoption of sustainable technologies in terminal operations.
The minister also held discussions with Shri Shyam Jagannathan, IAS, Director General of Maritime Administration (DGMA), at APM Terminals, JNPA. The discussions covered key areas of bilateral maritime cooperation, including green shipping, maritime decarbonisation, alternative marine fuels, seafarer training and skill development, shipbuilding and maritime technologies, sustainable ship recycling and regulatory cooperation.
Both sides explored opportunities to strengthen technical collaboration and translate the existing maritime partnership into practical initiatives supporting a cleaner, more efficient and sustainable global shipping industry.
Maharashtra Strengthens Maritime and Investment Engagement
During his Mumbai visit, Minister Lidegaard met Maharashtra Governor Shri Jishnu Dev Varma to discuss expanding Danish investments and strengthening economic cooperation between Denmark and Maharashtra.
The discussions covered opportunities in maritime infrastructure, shipping, trade, technology and industrial development, alongside the potential benefits of the proposed India–European Union Free Trade Agreement.
Maharashtra is an important economic partner for Denmark, with more than 60 Danish companies operating in the state across shipping, maritime technology, manufacturing and other sectors. The minister highlighted the potential for expanding commercial engagement and creating new business opportunities between the two economies.
L&T Chairman Appointed Denmark’s Honorary Consul
An important highlight of the Mumbai visit was Minister Lidegaard’s engagement at Larsen & Toubro (L&T), where he met representatives of Indian industry, shipping companies and Danish maritime and defence businesses to explore opportunities for stronger industrial and commercial partnerships.
The occasion also highlighted the historic connection between Denmark and L&T, which was founded in Mumbai in 1938 by two Danish engineers, Henning Holck-Larsen and Søren Kristian Toubro.
During the visit, L&T Chairman Shri S. N. Subrahmanyan was appointed Denmark’s Honorary Consul in Mumbai. The appointment is expected to further strengthen Denmark’s institutional, commercial and business engagement in Maharashtra and support closer cooperation between Indian and Danish enterprises.
High-Level Discussions on Trade and Shipping Development in New Delhi
In New Delhi on November 3, Minister Lidegaard met Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Shri Sarbananda Sonowal. Their discussions focused on strengthening India–Denmark cooperation in green shipping, sustainable port development and the development of green maritime corridors.
The engagement assumes significance as India accelerates its efforts to modernise port infrastructure, promote environmentally sustainable shipping and strengthen its position in international maritime trade.
The Danish minister also met Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Shri Piyush Goyal to discuss expanding bilateral trade and economic cooperation, with particular attention to emerging commercial opportunities and the proposed India–European Union Free Trade Agreement.
The discussions highlighted the importance of stronger business-to-business partnerships, improved market access, industrial collaboration and greater investment flows between India and Denmark.
India–Denmark Partnership: New Opportunities for Maritime Growth
India and Denmark share a strong foundation of cooperation in shipping, maritime technologies, industrial development and sustainable economic growth. Denmark’s established expertise in global shipping, port operations, maritime technologies and logistics complements India’s expanding port infrastructure, growing cargo volumes and ambitious maritime development programmes.
The minister’s visit has reinforced the importance of closer engagement between government institutions, port authorities, shipping companies and industrial stakeholders of both countries.
With growing opportunities in container shipping, port modernisation, alternative marine fuels, maritime decarbonisation, logistics infrastructure and international trade, India and Denmark are well positioned to expand their strategic and commercial partnership.
The engagements during the visit are expected to provide fresh momentum to bilateral maritime cooperation while opening avenues for technology exchange, investment and long-term business partnerships, contributing to a more sustainable, competitive and globally connected maritime sector.
