In Kochi, India, the Kochi Shipbuilding Summit 2025 opened the door to a new chapter in the country’s maritime future. The event, run by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) and the Centre for Public Policy Research (CPPR), set the stage for India Maritime Week later in 2025 and laid out a plan to make India one of the world’s top five shipbuilding nations by 2047.
Speakers at the summit stressed the need to build a strong shipbuilding ecosystem that taps India’s industrial base, skilled workers, and supportive policies. “Shipbuilding is the mother industry—it creates technology, jobs, and growth,” said Madhu S. Nair, Chairman and Managing Director of CSL. Nair added that India’s young, growing population and expanding domestic market give the country the scale to reach its grandshipbuilding targets. He highlighted the projected $30 trillion GDP by 2047 as a decisive factor for leading the next wave of shipbuilding.
D. Dhanuraj, the CPPR chairman, called for tighter collaboration between universities and industry to close capability gaps and spark innovation. “We must create a research‑driven, skill‑focused ecosystem and link it with global partners,” he said.
The summit also featured a high‑profile panel, moderated by R. P. Pradhan of BITS Pilani (Goa). The panel included former Vice Chief of Naval Staff G. Ashok Kumar, Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders chief Biju George, SEDS leader Hariraj P, and CUSAT expert Satheesh Babu P.K. They highlighted a few key growth drivers: the Shipbuilding Financial Assistance Scheme, the Maritime Development Fund, financial reforms, tech adoption, and digitalisation.
A central theme was sustainable ship design and green innovation. Speakers said boosting skills and embracing digital tools will help India compete long term. They agreed that the government, industry, and academia must lock in stronger partnerships if India wants to shift from a regional player to a global maritime hub by 2047.
The summit closed with a consensus that these partnerships can turn India’s shipbuilding ambitions into reality, positioning the country as a major player in the global maritime industry.
Source: ianslive
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