India and the European Union have significantly expanded their maritime and shipbuilding cooperation in 2025 through a series of strategic partnerships, joint ventures, and defence-related initiatives. These collaborations span naval operations, technology transfer, joint vessel development, and shipyard capacity enhancement.
India will host its first-ever country session at Nor-Shipping 2025 on 4 June, marking a notable step in its expanding participation in international maritime forums. Organized by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways in collaboration with the Embassy of India in Norway, the event will take place at NOVA Spektrum in Oslo and is intended to establish a long-term presence at global maritime platforms.
India and the EU are also conducting a joint naval exercise in the Indian Ocean from 1 to 3 June 2025. The exercise will include advanced counter-piracy operations, tactical manoeuvres, and interoperability drills, coordinated by the respective Maritime Operations Centres (MOCs).
India’s shipbuilding industry is growing rapidly, with the sector valued at USD 1.12 billion in 2024, up from USD 90 million in 2022. India plans to build a domestic fleet of 112 crude oil tankers by 2040, investing ₹850 billion (approximately $10 billion) to reduce reliance on foreign-chartered vessels.
The country has 613 shipyards distributed across several coastal states, with Maharashtra hosting 148, Gujarat 129, Kerala 64, Tamil Nadu 48, West Bengal 45, and Goa 32.
The session Nor-Shipping 2025 will feature panel discussions, leadership insights, and thematic presentations covering four main focus areas: India’s evolving shipbuilding and repair ecosystem, environmentally responsible ship recycling practices, the integration of renewable energy into port infrastructure, and innovative financing strategies for maritime growth. These topics will be explored in the context of India’s growing capabilities in infrastructure development, sustainability, and technological innovation. The event aims to encourage dialogue, promote strategic collaborations, and facilitate the exchange of global best practices within the maritime sector.
Several Indian shipbuilders have bagged orders and entered into joint ventures, technology transfers, and collaboration agreements with shipbuilders in the EU.
In the recent past, Italian shipbuilding firm Fincantieri positioned India as a key long-term partner for the co-development and co-production of next-generation vessels. In the defence segment, German company ThyssenKrupp and India’s Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders have entered into a joint venture for India’s USD 5 billion P-75I submarine program.
In commercial shipbuilding, Maersk and Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) signed a memorandum of understanding in February 2025. The partnership focuses on ship repair, maintenance, and drydocking operations for container vessels. The first Maersk vessel is scheduled for repair at CSL later this year. The agreement also covers technical knowledge sharing, joint training, and skill development programs.
India and the EU have also cooperated on naval operations in the Gulf of Guinea and Gulf of Aden. Indian Navy vessels have supported escort missions for World Food Programme-chartered ships coordinated by Operation ATALANTA. The EU-led mission, launched in 2008, has expanded its scope from anti-piracy operations to include counter-narcotics, arms smuggling, and illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing in the Horn of Africa and western Indian Ocean. EUNAVFOR ATALANTA has previously conducted passing exercises (PASSEX) with the Indian Navy in the region.
India’s shipbuilding sector includes both public and private players. Major state-owned entities include Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (Mumbai), Cochin Shipyard Limited (Kochi), Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (Kolkata), Hindustan Shipyard Limited (Visakhapatnam), and Goa Shipyard Limited (Goa). Key private companies include L&T Shipbuilding Ltd. (Chennai), Swan Defence and Heavy Industries (Port Pipavav), SHOFT Shipyard Pvt. Ltd., Chowgule Shipyard (Ratnagiri), Titagarh Marine Limited (Barrackpore), and ABG Shipyard Limited (Mumbai).