Singapore, India Drive Green Digital Shipping Corridor

Singapore and India have signed an agreement to launch a Green and Digital Shipping Corridor, a landmark initiative aimed at reducing emissions and modernizing port operations in line with the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) net-zero target by 2050.

According to Shahrin Osman of Det Norske Veritas (DNV), India’s renewable energy capacity of 234 GW positions it as a strong producer of zero- or near-zero-emission fuels. This gives the corridor an opportunity to develop clean-fuel bunkering, making ports more attractive to vessels seeking competitive alternative fuels, even without cargo operations. The corridor also paves the way for shore power supply, enabling ships to plug into clean electricity at ports—four times more efficient and cheaper than synthetic e-fuels.

Key Highlights

Singapore and India launch corridor to promote clean-fuel bunkering and digital port operations
IMO rules will impose up to $380/tonne penalties on non-compliant ships by 2030
Technologies like WAPS and shore power could cut emissions by up to 40 percent

The IMO’s Net-Zero Framework, which will penalize ships failing emission targets between 2028 and 2030 with fees up to $380 per tonne of CO₂, is expected to accelerate fuel adoption.

“Digitalisation is an opportunity for improving efficiencies and cost effectiveness, which could be served by companies in supply chain visibility, artificial intelligence, data analytics, robotics and automation, that are able to customize these tools for the maritime industry,” he said in an emailed reply to questions.

On the technology side, ship owners are exploring wind-assisted propulsion systems (WAPS), which can cut fuel use by 40 percent but require $500,000 in upfront investment per vessel. Solar panels are being deployed too, though their fuel-saving contribution is limited to 2 percent.

Also Read: Singapore & India Boost Ties in Tech and Green Sectors

Industry observers believe the corridor could expand to include more countries, following models like Norway’s Green Shipping Programme, which has already delivered 19 zero-emission solutions since 2015.