Danish Business Minister Martin Lidegaard leads delegation to APM Terminals Mumbai and Mazagon Dock, highlighting growing cooperation in shipping, port development and green maritime technologies
Denmark is looking to deepen its maritime and business partnership with India, with green shipping, port development and shipbuilding emerging as key areas of cooperation during a high-level Danish business delegation visit led by Minister for Business, Competitiveness and Maritime Affairs Martin Lidegaard.
The delegation is scheduled to visit APM Terminals Mumbai and Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders in Mumbai to explore opportunities for strengthening collaboration between Danish and Indian maritime companies.
The growing importance of India to Danish shipping is reflected in the more than 3,000 port calls made by Danish-operated vessels at Indian ports in 2025. Danish shipping companies are witnessing growth across multiple segments, including container shipping, dry bulk and tanker operations, with India’s expanding economy expected to further strengthen bilateral maritime trade.
“India is becoming an increasingly important partner for Denmark – economically, technologically and geopolitically. The country has major ambitions in areas including green shipping, renewable energy and artificial intelligence. Denmark has strong expertise that can contribute to India’s transition,” Martin Lidegaard said in a press release.
He added that the visit would provide an opportunity to understand India’s rapid development, strengthen existing partnerships and create new opportunities for Danish businesses.
Welcoming the minister’s visit, Danish Shipping CEO Anne H. Steffensen said stronger maritime cooperation between the two countries could generate significant opportunities for both sides.
She highlighted investment-friendly policies, access to competitive shipbuilding facilities, collaboration in developing greener ports and vessels, and responsible ship recycling as important areas where Denmark and India could deepen their engagement.
Indian shipyards are already playing an important role in supporting Danish shipping companies. Currently, ten vessels are under construction for Danish shipping interests at Indian shipyards, underlining India’s growing position as a shipbuilding destination for international operators.
Among the major customers is Danish dry bulk shipping company Navi Merchants, which has placed an order for six new energy-efficient cargo vessels at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders in Mumbai.
Welcoming the minister’s visit to the shipyard, Navi Merchants CEO Rasmus Saltofte said India was an important partner in the company’s development, particularly with six vessels currently under construction at the facility. He also emphasised the importance of maintaining close, long-term relationships with the shipyard and Indian partners.
Green shipping remains a central pillar of bilateral maritime engagement under the Green Strategic Partnership established between India and Denmark in 2020. Danish companies, including APM Terminals and Navi Merchants, are contributing to India’s maritime development through their investments and participation in the green transition.
The economic relationship between the two countries is also gaining momentum. Danish companies exported goods and services worth DKK 21.2 billion to India in 2025.
The latest engagement reinforces the growing strategic importance of India in Denmark’s maritime business outlook, with opportunities spanning port operations, sustainable shipping, shipbuilding, maritime technology and green logistics.