Research and Development (R&D) plays an important role in advancing innovation, technological self-reliance and sustainable growth of India's maritime sector. The Engineering Wing of the Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA) facilitates and supports research, technology development and industry–academia collaboration in areas of strategic importance to the maritime sector. The focus is on encouraging indigenous solutions, emerging and green technologies, energy efficiency, alternative fuels, maritime decarbonisation, ship design and engineering, safety and environmental protection. Through collaborative research, technical studies, pilot projects and engagement with academic institutions, research organisations and industry, the Engineering Wing seeks to translate research and innovation into practical solutions that support the evolving needs and long-term development of the Indian maritime sector.

Under the umbrella banner of Maritime INDIA @ Net Zero, the National Maritime Decarbonisation Policy Framework (NMDP) is being developed as a comprehensive framework to guide the transition of India's maritime sector towards a low-carbon, sustainable and future-ready ecosystem. The framework brings together the global and national developments shaping maritime decarbonisation, India's climate commitments, the evolving international maritime regulatory architecture and the policy interventions required to support the sector's transition.

At its core, the NMDP is structured around eight key pillars — Green Shipbuilding & Retrofits, Green Ports, Green Ship Recycling, Green Finance, Green Skill, Alternate Fuels, Green Technology and Pollution Prevention. These pillars collectively address the key technical, financial, infrastructural, environmental and capacity-building requirements for maritime decarbonisation.

Beyond the eight pillars, the Framework also provides for Policy Governance to support coordinated implementation and institutional oversight, along with a dedicated focus on International Cooperation and Diplomacy, recognising the global nature of shipping and the importance of international partnerships, technology cooperation and engagement in global maritime and climate initiatives. The NMDP thus seeks to provide an integrated policy architecture covering the maritime decarbonisation ecosystem — from policy and technology development to implementation, governance and international engagement.

A research study titled "Identifying and Assessing the Impact of Market Based Mechanisms on India's International Sea Trade" was undertaken by the Supply Chain Management Centre, Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIM Bangalore) and submitted to the Directorate General of Shipping in March 2023. The study was carried out by Dr. Aditya Gupta, Chief Operating Officer, Supply Chain Management Centre, IIM Bangalore and Mr. Prasanta Patri, Post-Doctoral Fellow (RA).

The study examined the emerging role of Market-Based Measures (MBMs) as an instrument for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping and assessed their implications from an Indian perspective. It focused on three broad areas — evaluation of suitable MBM mechanisms for India, assessment of their potential impacts and development of an approach for sharing of funds generated through an IMO-level MBM mechanism. The study primarily evaluated Bunker/Carbon Levy and Emission Trading Systems (ETS) and compared the two mechanisms across parameters such as GHG reduction effectiveness, compatibility with the legal framework, implementation requirements, impact on States, administrative burden, practical feasibility and commercial implications.

A significant part of the research focused on understanding how the introduction of such measures could affect the wider Indian maritime and trade ecosystem. The impact assessment considered environmental, business and economic dimensions, including GHG emission reduction, transportation and freight costs, cost of imports and exports, consumer prices, competitiveness of Indian exports, changes in trade patterns, impacts on shipping companies and shipowners, investment in ships and implications for GDP and supply-chain costs.

The Future Fuel Strategy (FFS) for Maritime India was developed in collaboration with the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) to provide a structured roadmap for India's transition towards low- and zero-emission maritime fuels. The strategy seeks to support India's maritime decarbonisation objectives through the adoption of cleaner fuels, development of enabling infrastructure and international collaboration, while providing clear timelines and actionable pathways for implementation.

The strategy adopts a multi-fuel approach, examining the future role of green hydrogen, green ammonia, green methanol, advanced biofuels, LNG/bio-LNG and electrification, together with emerging technologies and measures such as onboard carbon capture, wind-assisted propulsion and nuclear propulsion. It assesses the evolving global maritime fuel landscape, technological readiness, lifecycle GHG emissions, fuel availability, safety and regulatory requirements, commercial viability and the infrastructure required to support the transition.

A dedicated assessment of the future fuel landscape for Maritime India examines India's maritime trade and fleet, projected energy demand, green-fuel production scenarios, fuel requirements for 2030 and 2050, port and bunkering infrastructure and the requirements of inland waterways. The Strategy also addresses the financial requirements of the transition, including financing models, investment requirements and potential mechanisms for supporting maritime decarbonisation.

The FFS ultimately provides a phased roadmap for implementation, linking future fuel adoption with infrastructure enhancement, policy and regulatory support and national maritime objectives. It is intended to guide coordinated action by Government, ports, shipowners, fuel producers, technology providers and other stakeholders while strengthening India's preparedness for the global transition towards sustainable maritime fuels.

The Consultative Document on the proposed National Green Shipping Policy (NGSP) for India was prepared by Lloyd's Register (LR) in close collaboration with and under the guidance of the Engineering Wing, Directorate General of Shipping. The document represented an important step towards developing a unified national framework for transitioning India's maritime sector towards decarbonisation, technological innovation, environmental sustainability and global competitiveness. It was aligned with India's broader maritime and green development priorities, including Maritime India Vision 2030, Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, Harit Sagar, Harit Nauka and the Green Tug Transition Programme, as well as India's international climate commitments.

The NGSP was developed following an assessment of the existing maritime ecosystem, key barriers to green transition, international best practices and emerging technological and regulatory developments. Its strategic objectives included reducing the environmental footprint of maritime operations, strengthening the competitiveness of India's shipping and maritime industries, facilitating compliance with international environmental requirements, promoting research and innovation in alternative fuels, electrification and digitalisation, and strengthening coordination amongst Government, industry, technology providers, financial institutions and other stakeholders.