Centre of Excellence in Maritime and Shipbuilding (CEMS), an entity promoted by Indian Register of Shipping, has signed a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Drydocks World, a DP World company and Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), to jointly develop an industry-ready maritime workforce of international standards.
The MoU is aimed to enhance the capabilities of the Indian maritime workforce and support India’s efforts in becoming a global hub for skilled shipbuilding and repair focused talent.
In the presence of Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, Honourable Union Minister for Ports Shipping and Waterways and Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO DP World, the MOU was signed by Capt. Rado Antolovic, CEO, Drydocks World, Mr. Madhu S Nair, Chairman and Managing Director, Cochin Shipyard Ltd and Mr. Arun Sharma, Chairman, Centre of Excellence in Maritime & Shipbuilding, during India Maritime Week 2025 held in Mumbai.
The objective of the tripartite agreement is to enhance the capabilities of the Indian maritime workforce by positioning India as a hub for skilled shipbuilding and ship repair professionals. It aims to bridge skill gaps through training aligned with international standards, improve job prospects for certified trainees both in India and abroad, and foster collaboration between industry and training institutions. The agreement targets annual training of candidates across key domains with a balanced mix of theoretical and practical learning.
Training will be conducted using advanced infrastructure at CSL, CEMS facilities, and Drydocks World sites, supported by industry experts from India and the UAE. Through its focus on innovation, sustainability, and skill development, DP World, in partnership with the Government of India, is supporting the goals of Maritime India Vision 2030.
Capt. Rado Antolovic, CEO, Drydocks World, said, “Developing the next generation of maritime professionals is critical to sustaining the future of global shipbuilding. This collaboration represents a powerful step towards strengthening the maritime talent pipeline from India, reflecting our commitment to nurturing talent and transferring the technical expertise that underpins global maritime excellence. Together with Cochin Shipyard and CEMS, we are developing a capable, globally competitive workforce, that will strengthen India’s shipbuilding ecosystem and support the industry’s long-term growth.”
Mr. Madhu S Nair, Chairman and Managing Director, Cochin Shipyard Limited said, “Cochin Shipyard is proud to be part of this collaborative initiative with Drydocks World and CEMS that will shape the future of India’s maritime workforce. By integrating advanced training infrastructure with global industry standards, we aim to create a talent pool that can support the growing demands of shipbuilding and repair, both domestically and internationally.”
Mr. Arun Sharma, Chairman, Centre of Excellence in Maritime & Shipbuilding said, “At CEMS, we are committed to bridging the skills gap in India’s maritime sector through cutting-edge training and industry-aligned curriculum. This collaboration with Cochin Shipyard and Drydocks World, enables us to deliver immersive, hands-on skilling programs that empower youth with globally benchmarked capabilities."
