The visit marked an
important step towards expanding the India–Denmark Green Strategic Partnership,
with particular emphasis on developing new commercial opportunities,
strengthening maritime connectivity and promoting sustainable shipping and port
operations. During his Mumbai
engagements on November 2, Minister Lidegaard visited APM Terminals Mumbai, also known as Gateway Terminals India, at Jawaharlal Nehru Port. The terminal is
operated by APM Terminals, part of the Danish shipping and logistics major A.P. Moller–Maersk Group. The visit provided an opportunity to
explore India’s growing container trade potential, port infrastructure
development, operational efficiency and the adoption of sustainable
technologies in terminal operations.
The minister also held discussions with Shri Shyam Jagannathan, IAS, Director General of Maritime Administration
(DGMA), at APM Terminals, JNPA. The discussions covered key areas of
bilateral maritime cooperation, including green shipping, maritime
decarbonisation, alternative marine fuels, seafarer training and skill
development, shipbuilding and maritime technologies, sustainable ship recycling
and regulatory cooperation. Both
sides explored opportunities to strengthen technical collaboration and
translate the existing maritime partnership into practical initiatives
supporting a cleaner, more efficient and sustainable global shipping
industry. Maharashtra Strengthens
Maritime and Investment Engagement
During his Mumbai
visit, Minister Lidegaard met Maharashtra
Governor Shri Jishnu Dev Varma to discuss expanding Danish investments
and strengthening economic cooperation between Denmark and Maharashtra. The discussions covered opportunities in
maritime infrastructure, shipping, trade, technology and industrial
development, alongside the potential benefits of the proposed India–European
Union Free Trade Agreement.
Maharashtra is an important economic partner for Denmark, with more than
60 Danish companies operating in the state across shipping, maritime
technology, manufacturing and other sectors. The minister highlighted the
potential for expanding commercial engagement and creating new business
opportunities between the two economies.
An important highlight of the Mumbai visit was Minister Lidegaard’s
engagement at Larsen & Toubro (L&T), where he met representatives of
Indian industry, shipping companies and Danish maritime and defence businesses
to explore opportunities for stronger industrial and commercial
partnerships. The occasion also highlighted
the historic connection between Denmark and L&T, which was founded in
Mumbai in 1938 by two Danish engineers, Henning Holck-Larsen and Søren Kristian
Toubro.
During the visit, L&T Chairman Shri S. N. Subrahmanyan was appointed Denmark’s Honorary Consul in Mumbai.
The appointment is expected to further strengthen Denmark’s institutional,
commercial and business engagement in Maharashtra and support closer
cooperation between Indian and Danish enterprises.