- ISTC to boost indigenous ship design, research, and skills training.
- Centre to act as a single-window provider for consultancy and policy inputs.
- Shared facilities and training platform for the shipbuilding industry.
India has officially opened the Indian Ship Technology Centre (ISTC) at the Indian Maritime University (IMU) in Visakhapatnam, aiming to enhance domestic shipbuilding and lessen reliance on foreign designs. The ₹305 crore initiative was launched virtually by Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal during IMU’s 10th convocation in Chennai, reports Marine Insight.
A Hub for Indigenous Ship Design and Research
The ISTC is set to be a key player in bolstering India’s shipbuilding prowess. It’s designed to be a central hub for local design, research, and skills training, functioning as a one-stop service provider that offers consultancy, training, and policy guidance. With cutting-edge software and design tools at its disposal, the centre will collaborate with industry partners to develop innovative ship production techniques.
Shared Facilities and Skills Development
The centre’s goal is to create a unified platform for the shipbuilding sector, providing access to shared facilities, facilitating training for future professionals, and nurturing an environment that supports advanced ship design and technology.
Part of the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047
Sonowal referred to the ISTC as a crucial element of India’s “Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047,” aiming to position India among the world’s top ten shipbuilding nations by 2030. He pointed out significant advancements in the industry, noting that the turnaround time at Indian ports has dropped to just 0.9 days, quicker than many leading maritime countries like the US, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Germany, and Singapore.
He also highlighted that nine Indian ports now feature in the world’s top 100, while the ₹76,000 crore Vadhavan container port is currently under construction. Over the past decade, cargo movement through inland waterways has surged sevenfold, coastal shipping has increased by more than 150%, and India’s seafarer workforce has more than doubled to over three lakh, placing the country among the top three suppliers of seafarers globally.
Call to Revive Buckingham Canal
During a recent meeting, Tamil Nadu Industries Minister TRB Rajaa called on the government to bring cargo movement back to life along the 796 km Buckingham Canal, which is currently sitting idle as a designated National Waterway. He reminisced about how the canal used to handle around half a million tonnes of cargo each year back in the 1950s. Shipping Secretary TK Ramachandran pointed out that before any revival can happen, issues like encroachments need to be tackled.
Academic and Industry Commitment
Prof. V.K. Kesavadev, the campus director of IMU Visakhapatnam, highlighted that the ISTC showcases IMU’s dedication to pushing forward the Indian maritime sector by introducing cutting-edge ship designs and technologies. Prof. K.M. Sivakholundu, the director of ISTC, expressed optimism that the centre will play a crucial role in helping India meet its shipbuilding ambitions by 2030, employing a comprehensive strategy that includes design, consultancy, training, and policy development.
Broad Participation at Launch
The launch event saw a diverse group of attendees, including maritime experts, industry professionals, officials, faculty, staff, and students from all six IMU campuses.
Did you subscribe to our daily Newsletter?
It’s Free Click here to Subscribe!
Source: Marine Insight
