Indian government partners with Lloyd’s Register Advisory to deliver decarbonisation and digital transformation programme

LR will provide strategic and technical guidance as India accelerates efforts to modernise and decarbonise its maritime industry.

Lloyd’s Register (LR) Advisory has been appointed as Technical Support Unit (TSU) to the Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping), Government of India, supporting the country’s efforts to deliver a more sustainable, digitally enabled maritime sector.

India’s maritime sector is seeing rapid growth, requiring a robust and forward-looking regulatory framework capable of balancing expansion with safety, environmental stewardship, and global competitiveness. Under the guidance of the DG Shipping and the Ministry, the TSU model has been established to strengthen institutional capacity through structured policy review, strategic interventions, and systematic process modernisation.

The TSU will undertake comprehensive assessments of existing regulatory and governance frameworks, identify gaps in alignment with international conventions and best practices, and recommend targeted policy and regulatory reforms. Through evidence-based analysis and strategic intervention, the initiative aims to enhance regulatory efficiency, transparency, and compliance, while reinforcing safety and environmental standards.

LR Advisory will support the development of the Green Port Index, advise on the refinement of India’s Integrated Shipping Policy, and contribute to frameworks for onshore power supply. The work will also include advancing green shipbuilding and green recycling practices, building national capability on decarbonisation, and supporting the digital transformation of regulatory processes. These initiatives form part of India’s wider strategy to build cleaner, more efficient and globally competitive ports and shipping networks.

An initial one-year contract has been agreed, with a framework in place to extend the collaboration for up to five years.

The appointment builds on LR’s recent involvement in developing India’s National Green Shipping Policy and reinforces its global advisory position and commitment to supporting national authorities in achieving sustainable maritime growth.

Ambrish Bansal, Global Head – Management Consulting & ESG Advisory, LR Advisory, said: “India is rapidly expanding its port infrastructure and maritime connectivity. As growth accelerates, regulation must keep pace — driven by clear strategy and focused implementation.

“Our role is to turn policy ambition into practical, scalable regulation. By leveraging global expertise and benchmarking, we support implementation at pace — accelerating India’s transition to lower-emission shipping while reinforcing long-term resilience and investor confidence.”

Shyam Jagannathan, Director General of Shipping, Government of India, said: “This appointment reflects India’s ambition to work with partners who can bring a depth of technical expertise and international perspective to national maritime reforms. LR’s experience in policy development, decarbonisation pathways and digital modernisation were cited as key factors in the selection.”

About Lloyd’s Register

Trusted maritime and energy sector advisers, partnering with clients to drive performance across the ocean economy.  

Lloyd’s Register (LR) is a global professional services group specialising in marine and offshore engineering, technology and digital solutions. We were created more than 260 years ago as the world’s first marine classification society to improve and set standards for the safety of ships.  

Today we are a leading provider of classification and compliance services to the marine and offshore industries, helping our clients design, construct and operate their assets to accepted levels of safety and environmental compliance.

Our digital solutions are relied upon by more than 30,000 vessels, following the acquisition of OneOcean in 2022 and Ocean Technologies Group in 2024.

In the race to zero emissions, our research, advisory and technical expertise and industry-firsts are supporting a safe, sustainable maritime energy transition.

Lloyd’s Register Group is wholly owned by the Lloyd’s Register Foundation, a politically and financially independent global charity that promotes safety and education

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About Lloyd’s Register Advisory 

Lloyd’s Register Advisory is a global professional services division within Lloyd’s Register, dedicated to helping clients navigate the complexities of the maritime and energy sectors. With a team of over 250 experts spanning technical and commercial disciplines, LR Advisory delivers strategic guidance across decarbonisation, digitalisation, regulatory adoption, and operational performance. 

Our services support a diverse client base, including shipowners, ship yards, OEMs, charterers, financiers, alternative fuel suppliers, port authorities, and governments, offering tailored solutions that drive safety, sustainability, and competitive advantage. From asset performance and risk management to project delivery and ESG strategy, LR Advisory combines deep engineering and commercial expertise with advanced digital tools to unlock value and future-proof operations. 

https://www.lr.org/en/services/advisory/