New Delhi: Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal began a four-day visit to South Korea on 25 October 2026 to explore partnerships with Korean companies in shipbuilding, shipping, ports and maritime logistics.
Sonowal opened the visit in Busan, a major centre of South Korea’s shipbuilding industry, where he met Indian professionals working with companies including Samsung Heavy Industries, Hanwha Ocean, HD Hyundai, DNV and the Indian Register of Shipping.
India’s Ambassador to South Korea, Gourangalal Das, welcomed the gathering and introduced members of the Indian maritime community.
“Your presence in Korea, at the heart of one of the world’s most advanced shipbuilding ecosystems, is a matter of pride for India,” Sonowal said.
VOYAGES Framework to Drive Maritime Cooperation
The minister urged Indian professionals to use the cooperation framework adopted by India and South Korea in April, during South Korean President Lee Jae Myung’s state visit to India, to build stronger industry links.
Known as VOYAGES, the framework covers cooperation in shipbuilding, shipping and maritime logistics.
“I want you to see VOYAGES not merely as a government framework, but as a platform for your professional growth and for India’s maritime future,” Sonowal said.
He said India was looking for practical partnerships with South Korean companies to expand its capabilities across the maritime sector.
India Targets Top Five Shipbuilding Nations by 2047
India aims to become one of the world’s top five shipbuilding nations by 2047. The government’s plans also cover ship repair, maritime manufacturing and logistics under Maritime India Vision 2030 and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.
Sonowal said the sector would need more shipbuilders, marine engineers, naval architects, designers, welders, project managers and technology specialists to meet its ambitions. The Union Cabinet approved a series of policy incentives for the shipbuilding sector in September 2025.
He encouraged Indian professionals working in South Korea to bring their experience back to India or support Indian companies from overseas. He also called on them to mentor young professionals and contribute to the India Ship Technology Centre and the shipbuilding skills partnership with the Korea International Cooperation Agency.
Busan Meetings to Focus on Industry Partnerships
Sonowal sought suggestions from Indian professionals on improving shipyard productivity, strengthening project execution, developing a skilled workforce and expanding cooperation in technology, manufacturing and innovation.
The minister’s itinerary includes meetings with global shipbuilding companies, maritime industry bodies, think tanks and research institutions.
He is also scheduled to participate in a ministerial roundtable in Busan for World Maritime Day, with representatives of major maritime nations and the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization expected to attend.
The visit comes as India looks to draw on South Korea’s shipbuilding expertise to expand domestic capacity and build stronger links between the two countries’ maritime industries.
