The Indian Maritime University (IMU) recently hosted a strategic stakeholder consultation on the proposed Indian Ship Technology (IST), sparking a lively debate about the future of India’s maritime innovation landscape. The event saw active participation from government officials, shipyard leaders, and global technology partners, all converging to discuss how IST can align with national shipbuilding goals and global technological advancements.
Dr. Malini V. Shankar (Retd.) IAS, Vice Chancellor of IMU, set the tone by stressing the revival of the National Ship Design and Research Centre (NSDRC) and its relevance to India’s shipbuilding ambitions. “The NSDRC was a beacon of innovation in its time,” she remarked, “and its revival could catalyze a new era of indigenous ship design and technology.”
Prof. K.M. Shivakholundu, drawing parallels with China’s maritime innovation landscape, introduced IST’s mission. “China’s success lies in its integrated approach to maritime innovation,” he noted, “and IST aims to emulate and surpass this model, tailored to India’s unique strengths and challenges.”
Senior ministry officials, including Rajesh Kumar Sinha, IAS, Special Secretary, and Venkatapati S, IAS, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), highlighted IST’s alignment with the Maritime India Vision 2030 (MIV 2030), Aatmanirbhar Bharat, and the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 (MAKV 2047). They emphasized the need for collaboration and robust infrastructure to support IST’s goals. “IST is not just about technology,” Sinha remarked, “it’s about creating an ecosystem that fosters innovation, collaboration, and self-reliance.”
Industry leaders from Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), Swan Shipyard, Cochin Shipyard, and the Directorate General of Shipping outlined their expectations from IST. These included enhanced R&D, indigenous design capabilities, and digital innovation. Srinivas Rao from GRSE stressed the need for “a robust R&D framework that can drive indigenous design and technology development.” Swati from HSL echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of digital innovation in shipbuilding.
Technology perspectives were shared by representatives from TAI Engineers, ANSYS, SEDS, HSVA, and NAPA. Janakiraman from TAI Engineers pledged strong support to IST’s goals, stating, “We are committed to bringing our global expertise to the table and collaborating with Indian stakeholders to drive maritime innovation.” Similarly, Ajit Kumar Singh and Vinay Sawant from ANSYS, Hari Raj from SEDS, Nicholas Lagopolous from HSVA, and Manoj Kumar from NAPA expressed their commitment to IST’s mission.
The consultation concluded with a presentation on the feasibility of a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) model in ship design, reinforcing IST’s role as a national innovation and coordination hub. This model, if successfully implemented, could revolutionize ship design and construction in India, making it more efficient, cost-effective, and aligned with global standards.
The consultation has set the stage for a more collaborative and innovative approach to India’s maritime sector. The revival of the NSDRC, the alignment of IST with national visions, and the commitment of industry leaders and technology partners signal a promising future for Indian shipbuilding. However, the path ahead is not without challenges. The successful implementation of IST will require sustained collaboration, significant investment in R&D, and a robust infrastructure that supports innovation.
Moreover, the comparison with China’s maritime innovation landscape serves as a reminder of the global competition in the maritime sector. India must leverage its unique strengths and strategic advantages to carve out a niche in the global maritime market. The SaaS model in ship design, for instance, could be a game-changer, but its success will depend on the willingness of stakeholders to embrace digital transformation and the government’s commitment to creating a supportive policy environment.
In the end, the consultation has sparked a much-needed debate about the future of India’s maritime innovation landscape. It has highlighted the need for a more collaborative and innovative approach to shipbuilding, one that aligns with national visions and leverages global technological advancements. The ball is now in the court of stakeholders to turn these discussions into actionable strategies that can propel India’s maritime sector to new heights.