VOIWORLD/Business desk:
The Netherlands has arrived in full force at India Maritime Week 2025, marking the largest international delegation at this year’s event. With over 50 delegates representing maritime technology, port management, green shipping, logistics, and digital trade, the European nation is positioning itself as a key partner in India’s next phase of maritime transformation.
At a time when the world’s trade dynamics are being redefined by geopolitics and green innovation, the Dutch presence signals a deepening of ties between two historically connected maritime powers.
Rotterdam to Mumbai: A Corridor of the Future
Rotterdam, Europe’s largest port and a key global logistics hub, has been strengthening its trade lanes with India — a connection that both nations are now eager to digitize and decarbonize.
The Dutch delegation includes leaders in dredging, port development, logistics optimization, renewable energy solutions, and digital process automation — showcasing the Netherlands’ comprehensive approach to building smart and sustainable maritime corridors. Let’s hear what Martijn Thijsen, Head of Global Connect, Port of Rotterdam has to say
Strength in Partnership
India and the Netherlands share a maritime connection that dates back centuries. Today, that legacy is evolving into a forward-looking trade relationship built on innovation and sustainability.
With India’s maritime infrastructure expanding rapidly, Dutch expertise is seen as a natural fit. From designing climate-resilient ports to deploying smart logistics systems, Dutch firms are already contributing to key Indian projects.
Trade on the Rise
Trade between India and the Netherlands currently stands at $28 billion, making the Netherlands India’s third-largest export destination in Europe. With the long-awaited India–EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) expected to be finalized by December, that figure is projected to surge to $80–100 billion in the coming years.
Cultural Connection, Commercial Trust
Several members of the Dutch delegation have been working in India for months, gaining firsthand experience of the country’s dynamism.
“The Dutch can learn from the Indian way of building long-term relationships,” said one delegate. “Trade here is based on trust and continuity. And India can learn from the Netherlands’ focus on smart, sustainable solutions — how to do more with less. That’s where the true synergy lies.” That’s what Rutger Bonsel, MD, Broekman Logistics India has to say
A Gateway Collaboration
As the curtains rise on India Maritime Week 2025, the Netherlands’ presence stands as both symbolic and strategic — representing Europe’s renewed engagement with India’s maritime growth story.
With shared values of openness, innovation, and sustainability, the India–Netherlands maritime partnership is not just about trade routes — it’s about building a digital and green gateway between Europe and Asia.
Here what Vikas Chaturvedi, CEO and founder of Valuecent Group has to say
