CII pushes for maritime board, shipbuilding degrees at GEC

PANAJI
The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), in collaboration with key maritime stakeholders, released the “Goa Shipbuilding Vision 2037”, visualising a strategic shipbuilding hub in the State.
Releasing the document, CII Goa Council Chairman Arjun Chowghule also pushed for the setting up of the "Goa Maritime Board" and the establishment of an engineering degree college in shipbuilding.
Chowghule said that Goa's shipbuilding industry, estimated to be valued at Rs 2,865 crore in FY24, has the potential to grow to Rs 64,058 crore by FY37, contributing nearly 11% to Goa’s GSDP.
He also said that the sector provides over 3,000 direct and 18,000 indirect jobs and is a crucial component of Goa’s industrial economy.
He said the vision document is based on a comprehensive CII-led survey involving over 30 stakeholders from across the shipbuilding value chain, including shipyards, design houses, repair and salvage firms, component suppliers, and the Mormugao Port Authority.
The study consolidated both public and private data sources to identify Goa’s core strengths, operational constraints, and policy opportunities, he added.
Earlier in September, CII had organised a National Conference on Sustainable Shipbuilding, where over 300 delegates, including leading figures from the industry in India and abroad, participated. The insights from deliberations at the conference on sustainable technologies, shipyard modernisation, and policy reforms have been integrated into the vision document, he added.
Infrastructure and draft enhancement, including dredging to create an 8-metre draft in the Mandovi and Zuari rivers, developing a green shipbuilding park near Vasco with shared fabrication and outfitting facilities, and institutional reform, including the setting up of the Goa Maritime Board, are some of the key features of the document.
Additionally, it proposes the setting up of a dedicated Shipbuilding and Design Institute to deliver ship design, modular construction, automation, and green ship innovation programmes. It also proposes introducing programmes in ship design, marine engineering, and maritime systems at the Goa Engineering College.