The Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping), under the Government of India, has appointed Lloyd’s Register (LR) Advisory as its Technical Support Unit (TSU) to assist in the modernisation and decarbonisation of India’s maritime sector.
Under the agreement, LR Advisory will provide strategic and technical guidance as India works to align its maritime regulatory frameworks with international conventions and evolving environmental standards.
The partnership will involve a comprehensive assessment of existing governance structures within the maritime ecosystem to identify gaps and recommend policy reforms. A key focus area will be the development of a Green Port Index, designed to benchmark the environmental performance of Indian ports and promote sustainable port operations.
“This appointment reflects India’s ambition to work with partners who can bring a depth of technical expertise and international perspective to national maritime reforms,” said Shyam Jagannathan, Director General of Shipping. He noted that LR’s experience in policy development, decarbonisation pathways and digital modernisation played a significant role in its selection.
In addition to supporting regulatory alignment, the collaboration will contribute to refining India’s Integrated Shipping Policy and developing frameworks for onshore power supply at ports. The initiative will also advance efforts toward green shipbuilding, environmentally responsible ship recycling, and the digital transformation of maritime regulatory processes.
“India is rapidly expanding its port infrastructure and maritime connectivity,” said Ambrish Bansal, Global Head – Management Consulting and ESG Advisory at LR Advisory. “Our role is to turn policy ambition into practical, scalable regulation. By leveraging global expertise and benchmarking, we support implementation at pace — accelerating India’s transition to lower-emission shipping while reinforcing long-term resilience and investor confidence.”
The initial contract for LR Advisory as the Technical Support Unit has been awarded for one year, with provisions in place to extend the collaboration for up to five years depending on progress and future requirements.
The appointment reflects India’s broader commitment to sustainable maritime development, as the country continues to expand port infrastructure, strengthen maritime connectivity, and align with global decarbonisation goals in the shipping industry.
