At the prestigious Nor-Shipping 2025 event, global assurance and risk management firm DNV significantly reinforced its strategic ties with India. Through key partnerships, high-level meetings, and collaborative agreements, DNV showcased its growing commitment to India’s maritime sector, aligning closely with the country’s development vision.
Strategic Dialogue with Indian Leadership
DNV Group President and CEO, Remi Eriksen, engaged in a high-level roundtable discussion with Sarbananda Sonowal, India’s Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways. The dialogue focused on the Maritime India Vision and the Make in India initiative, with the goal of boosting bilateral cooperation. The roundtable marked a milestone in strengthening strategic maritime links between India and Norway.
The discussions underlined a shared vision of sustainable and technologically advanced shipping infrastructure. Both parties agreed to work collaboratively in areas of maritime safety, green innovation, and digital transformation. This dialogue formed the foundation for several major announcements that followed at the event.
Classification Agreement with GRSE
One of the most notable outcomes was DNV’s classification agreement with India’s leading shipbuilder, Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd (GRSE). The agreement involves four next-generation 7,500 dwt multi-purpose hybrid-propulsion vessels, tailored for transporting bulk cargo, project equipment, wind turbine blades, and containers.
The vessels will be designed by Smart Engineering & Design Solutions (SEDS) and classed by DNV, ensuring top-tier global standards. This collaboration is expected to enhance India’s shipbuilding capabilities and accelerate the adoption of green propulsion technologies. It also positions GRSE as a key contributor to India’s maritime self-reliance mission.
MoU with Larsen & Toubro
In another pivotal development, DNV signed a comprehensive Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Indian engineering giant Larsen & Toubro (L&T). This MoU spans a broad scope, covering shipbuilding, port infrastructure, smart industrial systems, ESG services, cybersecurity, and digital platforms.
Minister Sonowal commended the agreement, calling it a “Major step” towards transforming India’s maritime ecosystem. The partnership aims to harness L&T’s infrastructure prowess and DNV’s global assurance expertise to create future-ready maritime and industrial solutions. It further solidifies India’s position as a key player in the global maritime sector.
Focus on Sustainability and Innovation
Throughout Nor-Shipping 2025, DNV played a central role in promoting sustainability and innovation. The company actively participated in sessions focused on green ports, green shipping corridors, ESG compliance, decarbonisation strategies, and cybersecurity frameworks.
These sessions emphasized the urgent need for digital transformation and environmental responsibility in the maritime sector. DNV’s participation highlighted its intent to lead the transition to more sustainable, secure, and intelligent shipping systems. The company showcased real-world solutions designed to reduce emissions, improve safety, and streamline operations across global fleets.
Longstanding Presence and Future Commitment in India
DNV’s association with India spans over five decades, beginning its operations in the country. This long-term presence demonstrates DNV’s deep-rooted commitment to India’s industrial and maritime sectors.
With these new agreements and engagements, DNV reaffirmed its mission to support India’s maritime evolution. The partnerships announced at Nor-Shipping 2025 are expected to deliver transformative impact, enabling smarter, greener, and safer maritime solutions for the future.
As India advances its shipping and port infrastructure, DNV stands ready as a reliable global partner. These developments mark a decisive step forward in the India-Norway maritime alliance and set the stage for future collaborations in a rapidly evolving global landscape.
