India Seeks South Korean Shipbuilding Partnerships as Sarbananda Sonowal Begins Four-Day Visit to Busan

India is seeking deeper cooperation with South Korea in shipbuilding, ship repair, maritime manufacturing and logistics as part of its ambition to become one of the world’s five leading shipbuilding nations by 2047. Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal began a four-day visit to South Korea on 25 October 2026, aiming to strengthen industrial partnerships and attract Korean expertise to India’s expanding maritime sector.

Beginning his engagements in Busan, one of South Korea’s principal maritime and shipbuilding centres, Sonowal outlined India’s growing opportunities for international shipbuilders, marine engineering companies and maritime technology providers. The visit forms part of India’s broader efforts to develop globally competitive shipbuilding capabilities under Maritime India Vision 2030 and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.

The minister emphasised that cooperation between India and South Korea could extend beyond ship construction to include port development, maritime logistics, technology transfer, workforce training and industrial innovation.

Sonowal Meets Indian Shipbuilding Professionals in Busan

Sarbananda Sonowal began his official engagements with an interaction involving Indian professionals working in South Korea’s advanced shipbuilding industry. India’s Ambassador to South Korea, Gourangalal Das, welcomed the gathering and introduced members of the Indian maritime professional community.

The interaction brought together Indian specialists associated with major international maritime organisations, including Samsung Heavy Industries, Hanwha Ocean, HD Hyundai, DNV and the Indian Register of Shipping. These professionals work within an industrial ecosystem recognised for sophisticated ship construction, marine engineering, advanced manufacturing and large-scale project execution.

Addressing the gathering, Sonowal expressed pride in the contribution of Indian professionals to South Korea’s shipbuilding industry. He encouraged them to use their international experience and professional networks to support the development of India’s domestic maritime manufacturing capabilities.

The minister highlighted the importance of connecting Indian shipyards with experienced professionals who understand the technological and operational requirements of internationally competitive shipbuilding. Their knowledge of design, production processes, project management and quality standards could help Indian companies strengthen their industrial capabilities.

Sonowal described the Indian maritime professionals in South Korea as potential bridges between the industrial networks of both countries. He encouraged them to explore opportunities to contribute directly to India’s shipbuilding expansion or support Indian companies through technical collaboration and professional partnerships.

India-South Korea VOYAGES Framework to Strengthen Maritime Cooperation

A central element of the minister’s discussions was the VOYAGES framework, adopted by India and South Korea in April 2026 during South Korean President Lee Jae Myung’s state visit to India.

The framework provides a platform for bilateral cooperation in shipbuilding, shipping and maritime logistics. It reflects the two countries’ interest in developing closer industrial and technological partnerships across the maritime economy.

Sonowal encouraged Indian professionals working in South Korea to view VOYAGES as an opportunity to participate in India’s maritime transformation rather than merely as an intergovernmental arrangement.

The framework could facilitate closer interaction between Indian shipyards and Korean companies in ship design, production technology, industrial processes and maritime manufacturing. Cooperation in these areas would support India’s efforts to improve shipyard productivity, strengthen domestic manufacturing and establish internationally competitive project execution capabilities.

South Korea’s extensive experience in constructing commercial vessels and operating large shipyards makes it an important potential partner for India’s maritime ambitions. The proposed cooperation also aligns with India’s objective of expanding its domestic shipbuilding industry while developing a stronger supporting ecosystem of engineering companies, equipment manufacturers and specialised service providers.

India Targets Global Top-Five Shipbuilding Position by 2047

India’s maritime development strategy seeks to transform the country into a major centre for shipbuilding, ship repair, maritime manufacturing and logistics by 2047.

The ambition forms part of Maritime India Vision 2030 and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, which provide the broader policy direction for modernising India’s maritime economy and strengthening its participation in international shipping and related industries.

The Union Cabinet approved a comprehensive package of shipbuilding policy incentives in September 2025 to support the industry’s expansion. The measures aim to strengthen domestic manufacturing capacity, improve the competitiveness of Indian shipyards and encourage investment in maritime industrial infrastructure.

The government’s approach recognises shipbuilding as a strategically important manufacturing industry with extensive connections to steel, engineering, electronics, propulsion systems, port infrastructure and logistics.

Expanding domestic shipbuilding capabilities would also strengthen India’s industrial supply chains and create opportunities for manufacturers of marine equipment, electrical systems, navigation technologies and other specialised components.

Sonowal’s engagements in South Korea seek to connect these policy objectives with practical industrial partnerships capable of supporting India’s long-term maritime development.

Skilled Workforce Development Emerges as Major Priority

The development of a globally competitive shipbuilding industry will require a substantial expansion of India’s skilled maritime workforce.

During his interaction in Busan, Sonowal emphasised the growing demand for shipbuilders, marine engineers, naval architects, designers, welders, project managers and specialised technology professionals.

He encouraged experienced Indian professionals in South Korea to contribute to workforce development by sharing their technical knowledge, mentoring younger professionals and supporting training initiatives in India.

The minister also highlighted opportunities associated with the India Ship Technology Centre and the shipbuilding skills partnership involving the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).

India and KOICA signed a Plan of Implementation on 2 April 2026 to support skill development in the Indian shipbuilding and marine sector. The initiative seeks to strengthen the foundation for developing skilled professionals and improving the industry’s long-term competitiveness.

Such cooperation can help India address the specialised workforce requirements associated with modern ship construction, including design engineering, production planning, welding technology, quality control and project management.

Developing domestic technical expertise will remain essential as Indian shipyards seek to undertake increasingly sophisticated commercial vessel construction and participate more extensively in international shipbuilding markets.

India Seeks Korean Expertise in Shipyard Productivity and Technology

Sonowal sought practical suggestions from Indian professionals working in South Korea on improving India’s shipbuilding industry.

The minister identified three areas requiring particular attention: strengthening shipyard productivity and project execution, developing a globally competitive skilled workforce, and expanding industrial cooperation in technology, manufacturing and innovation.

Shipyard productivity is a critical factor in the international competitiveness of shipbuilding companies. Modern vessel construction requires the effective integration of design, fabrication, equipment installation, testing and project delivery within demanding production schedules.

South Korea’s shipbuilding ecosystem offers extensive experience in coordinating these complex industrial activities. Closer cooperation with Korean companies could help Indian shipyards adopt improved manufacturing practices and strengthen their capacity to execute large commercial shipbuilding projects.

Technology partnerships could also create opportunities for Indian engineering enterprises and component manufacturers to participate in international maritime supply chains.

The minister encouraged Indian professionals to identify practical areas where Korean industrial experience could support India’s manufacturing ambitions while creating opportunities for collaboration between companies in both countries.

Ministerial Engagements to Expand India-Korea Maritime Relations

During the four-day visit, Sonowal is scheduled to engage with leaders of major shipbuilding companies, maritime industry organisations, research institutions and maritime policy specialists.

The discussions are expected to focus on potential partnerships in shipbuilding, shipping, ports, maritime logistics and related technologies.

Sonowal is also scheduled to participate in a ministerial roundtable in Busan associated with World Maritime Day. Representatives from major maritime nations and the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization are expected to participate in the discussions.

The international engagements provide an opportunity for India to present its maritime industrial development plans to established shipbuilding nations and explore cooperation in areas supporting sustainable industrial growth.

The visit also strengthens the broader economic relationship between India and South Korea by placing maritime manufacturing and logistics among the important areas of bilateral cooperation.

India-South Korea Cooperation to Support India’s Maritime Manufacturing Future

India’s engagement with South Korea represents another step towards developing a globally competitive domestic shipbuilding ecosystem. By combining India’s expanding industrial ambitions with South Korea’s established maritime expertise, the two countries can identify practical opportunities in manufacturing, engineering, workforce development and logistics.

The VOYAGES framework and the existing shipbuilding skills partnership provide institutional foundations for closer cooperation between companies, technical institutions and maritime professionals.

Sonowal’s visit places particular emphasis on converting these opportunities into stronger industrial connections, improved skills and enhanced shipbuilding capabilities.

As India advances towards its maritime development goals for 2030 and 2047, international partnerships will complement domestic investments in shipyards, infrastructure and technology. Stronger cooperation with South Korea can contribute to India’s emergence as a major maritime manufacturing centre while creating new opportunities for Indian industry and skilled professionals

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References

1. Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, 25 October 2026. Sarbananda Sonowal to Pitch India’s Shipbuilding Opportunity to Korean Industry during Korea Visit.
2. Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, 3 April 2026. MoPSW Signs Implementation Plan with KOICA to Boost Skill Development in India’s Shipbuilding Sector.
3. Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, 13 October 2026. 21st Meeting of Maritime State Development Council Concludes Successfully at Mumbai.
4. Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Government of India. Maritime India Vision 2030 and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.

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