Indian Register of Shipping (IRClass) has announced the formation of a special purpose vehicle, ‘Centre of Excellence in Maritime and Shipbuilding’ (CEMS), in association with the Indian Ministry of Shipping and Siemens.
The Centre of Excellence (COE) in shipbuilding and maritime sector aims to address demand of various industries within shipping industry, the current market scenario and the effect and needs of Sagarmala projects (to bridge the skill gap and for up skilling of the current workforce), the classification society explained.
In particular, the Centre of Excellence will primarily cater to the need for design of commercial ships in India for seagoing, coastal and inland waterways operation. This would support various Indian shipyards for their ship design needs for basic design and detailed working design for production.
The centre will also study the market needs and develop appropriate ship designs catering to the requirements for the development and growth of Indian shipping considering the needs of ship owners and operators in the country.
In addition, CEMS will deploy an industry-relevant skill development program, and equip students with employable engineering and technical skills in the areas of Ship Hull Design, Ship Detailed Design, Shipbuilding & Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul (MRO), Product Lifecycle Management (PLM), and advanced digital manufacturing-factory concepts. The COE aims to provide 50 courses across 18 specializations; covering 770 modules out of which 270 will be tools and algorithm based courses while 500 will be process and sector based.
Executive Chairman Mr. Arun Sharma said: “For IRS it is a watershed moment to be entering the area of skill development in Maritime and Shipbuilding, both synergistic and complementary. We are proud to be partnering both Government of India and Siemens. We look forward to create something world class”.
