India and Netherlands Sign MoU to Boost Maritime Ties

India and the Netherlands have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and a Letter of Intent aimed at strengthening maritime collaboration and developing a green digital sea corridor. The agreements were finalized during the India Maritime Week 2025 event held in Mumbai.

The MoU was signed by Robert Tieman, Minister of Infrastructure & Water Management of the Netherlands, and Sarbananda Sonowal, India’s Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways. This new partnership is designed to enhance maritime innovation, improve connectivity, and deepen bilateral relations between the two nations.

The agreement also emphasizes cooperation in clean energy initiatives, particularly the use of alternative fuels such as ammonia and methanol. As part of this collaboration, a Dutch-funded KPMG study focusing on the sustainable and smart development of Indian ports was officially launched.

In addition to the government-level MoU, several business agreements were signed between Indian and Dutch companies during the event. These include initiatives to support maritime financing, promote research on green shipping technologies, and encourage greater knowledge exchange.

A separate institutional cooperation agreement was also established between the Port of Rotterdam and the Deendayal Port Authority, further cementing the two countries’ shared commitment to sustainable and innovative maritime growth.