13 Mar 2026by Martyn Wingrove
India’s ministry and directorate general for shipping and maritime has appointed a class society to accelerate digital developments and decarbonisation of ports and ships
A branch of the Government of India has selected Lloyd’s Register (LR) Advisory to support its drive to introduce digital systems and accelerate development of green ports and low-emissions vessels.
LR Advisory has been appointed as a technical support unit (TSU) to the government’s Directorate General (DG) of Shipping to facilitate a more sustainable, digitally enabled maritime sector.
Under this model, LR Advisory will assess existing regulatory and governance frameworks, identify gaps in alignment with international conventions and best practices, and recommend targeted policy and regulatory reforms.
This will be undertaken under a one-year contract, with a framework in place to extend the collaboration for up to five years.
LR Advisory will support digital transformation of regulatory processes, development of a green-port index, and advancing green shipbuilding and green recycling practices.
As TSU, it will also support the government’s strategy for building national capability on decarbonisation, including construction of green vessels such as electric-powered tugs in Indian shipyards, and for more efficient and globally competitive ports and shipping networks, including development of shore power for vessels at berth.
“India’s ambition is to work with partners who can bring a depth of technical expertise and international perspective to national maritime reforms,” said Government of India’s director general of shipping, Shyam Jagannathan.
This includes “policy developments, decarbonisation pathways and digital modernisation” he added. LR has already been involved in developing India’s national green-shipping policy and supporting national authorities in achieving sustainable maritime growth.
“India is rapidly expanding its port infrastructure and maritime connectivity,” said LR Advisory’s global head for management consulting, Ambrish Bansal.
“As growth accelerates, regulation must keep pace, driven by clear strategy and focused implementation.
“We support implementation at pace, accelerating India’s transition to lower-emission shipping while reinforcing long-term resilience and investor confidence.”
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