Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal began a four-day visit to South Korea on Sunday, October 25, 2026, to strengthen bilateral maritime cooperation and promote India’s growing shipbuilding potential among Korean industry leaders.
The visit comes as India and South Korea seek to deepen cooperation in shipbuilding, shipping and maritime logistics, supporting India’s ambition to become one of the world’s top five shipbuilding nations by 2047.
Sonowal began his visit in Busan, a major hub of South Korea’s maritime industry, where he interacted with Indian professionals working in the country’s shipbuilding sector. India’s Ambassador to South Korea, Gourangalal Das, welcomed the gathering, which included professionals associated with Samsung Heavy Industries, Hanwha Ocean, HD Hyundai, DNV and the Indian Register of Shipping.
Highlighting the importance of Indian talent in South Korea’s advanced shipbuilding ecosystem, Sonowal urged the professionals to contribute to India’s maritime development by sharing their expertise, strengthening industry networks and supporting domestic capabilities.
He also called on them to view the VOYAGES framework, adopted by India and South Korea in April during South Korean President Lee Jae Myung’s state visit to India, as an opportunity for professional growth and long-term maritime collaboration. The framework provides a platform for cooperation in shipbuilding, shipping and maritime logistics.
Sonowal said India is working to establish itself as a globally competitive centre for shipbuilding, ship repair, maritime manufacturing and logistics under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Maritime India Vision 2030 and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047. The Union Cabinet approved a series of policy incentives for the sector in September 2025.
He emphasised the need to develop a larger pool of skilled shipbuilders, marine engineers, naval architects, designers, welders, project managers and technology specialists to support the country’s shipbuilding ambitions.
The minister encouraged Indian professionals in South Korea to bring their experience back to India or support Indian companies from abroad. He also urged them to mentor young Indian professionals and participate in initiatives such as the India Ship Technology Centre and the shipbuilding skills partnership between India and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).
Seeking practical recommendations from the Indian professional community, Sonowal highlighted three priority areas: improving shipyard productivity and project execution, developing a globally competitive skilled workforce, and expanding India-South Korea cooperation in technology, manufacturing and innovation.
“We are looking for partnership with Korea in shipbuilding, shipping, ports and maritime logistics,” Sonowal said.
During the visit, Sonowal is scheduled to meet leaders of global shipbuilding companies and engage with maritime industry associations, think tanks and research institutions to explore opportunities for collaboration.
He is also expected to participate in a ministerial roundtable in Busan as part of World Maritime Day, bringing together representatives of major maritime nations and the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
The visit is expected to provide further momentum to India-South Korea maritime ties, particularly in shipbuilding technology, skills development, industrial cooperation and the expansion of India’s domestic maritime manufacturing capabilities.