VASCO
Latest technological trends in the Indian shipbuilding industry, designing of smaller cargo vessels, dredging, upgradation of national waterways, private participation in construction of naval vessels and collaboration with Norwegian maritime technology were discussed at a recent one-day seminar at Bogda-Vasco.
The Institute of Shipbuilding Technology, Goa (ISBT) organized the seminar on ‘Latest trends and potential in Indian Shipbuilding industry' at its conference Hall, ISBT complex.
Ashok Chowgule, Joint Managing Director of Chowgule Pvt Ltd, was the chief guest, while Cmde B B Nagpal, NM, IN (Retd), Director (Corporate planning, projects & Business development) at Goa Shipyard Ltd was guest of honour.
The seminar, which was attended by shipyard owners, executives, shipyard engineers, ship designers, classification societies, and shipbuilding associates and suppliers. The seminar took note of the union shipping ministry's interventions in areas of shipbuilding, port development, inland waterways and coastal shipping to develop the maritime sector.
Speakers also highlighted the government's intentions to develop a sustainable water transport system in key rivers and inland waters across the country, as well as huge national waterways expansions with technical and financial assistance of the World Bank. They also commented on Indian Navy's plans to buy vessels from private shipyards.
Earlier, ISBT Principal Gopal Midlagajni welcomed delegates at the seminar, while Ashok Chowgule in his keynote address outlined the history of shipbuilding in Goa and Goa's unique selling points in developing maritime industry.
Chowgule also shared his vision for the shipbuilding industry by means of future government policies and infrastructure development.
Cmde Nagpal highlighted the importance of investing in design, research and development, which, in turn, would lead to saving cost incurred due to production delays and wastages.
ISBT Shipbuilding Engineering HOD Satish Paliencar later coordinated the technical sessions for the seminar.
Speaking on "Opportunities due to upgradation of National waterways", Vijaykumar Dialani (Director Marine, IWAI) explained various waterways that will be developed in future and the ships that are going to ply on them. Capt. Inderveer Solanki, Senior consultant, IWAI, spoke on "Potential in dredging activities", covering the cargo aspects and types of vessels on inland waterways.
Dr Vishwanath Nagarajan, associate professor at IIT Kharagpur, presented the topic on "R&D progress for Inland waterways transport", explaining the basics of design of ships on rivers, shallow water effects on ship design, importance of correct ship dimensions, grounding of vessels, and energy wasted in operating in shallow waters.
Shrikrishna Kamat, GSL Chief General Manager (Forward projects), spoke on "Private participation in construction of Naval Ships", covering a different angle to Indian shipbuilding industry by providing direct orders and sub-contracts in GSL to help the shipyards to survive the difficult times.
Serafim Lourenco, proprietor of Lourenco Marine and Alumni of the institute, summarized the technical sessions and stated the importance of investing in design and to bring in a change in the mindset of shipbuilding industry.
