Mumbai: In a major boost to India’s maritime and shipbuilding ecosystem, Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) has signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding with NACE International India Section (NIIS) to establish the country’s first dedicated Marine Blasting & Painting Skill Centre. NIIS, the Indian chapter of the Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP), is a global authority in corrosion science and materials protection. Five-Year Global Skill Development Programme The partnership will run for five years and aims to develop a globally competitive workforce in marine coatings and surface preparation. The programme will offer internationally recognised NACE/AMPP certifications, fully integrated with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) framework under Skill India. This initiative is expected to create a structured career pathway for professionals in marine blasting and painting, strengthening India’s position in the global shipbuilding industry. Read also: Indian Navy Signs MoUs with IIT Madras, IOCL, CSL, and MDL to Boost Marine Engineering and Innovation Ceremony Held at MDL Mumbai with Industry Leaders The signing ceremony took place at Sagarika Auditorium, MDL Mumbai, in the presence of senior leaders and industry experts, including: Vasudev Puranik, Director (Corporate Planning & Personnel), MDL Dipen Jhaveri, Chairman, AMPP India Chapter N. Manohar Rao, Trustee, NIIS Arun Kumar Chand, Executive Director – HR, MDL The event also highlighted collaboration between industry, skill development bodies, and global certification agencies. Launch of Training Book for Blasters & Painters A key highlight of the event was the launch of a dedicated Training Book for Blasters & Painters. The handbook is designed to build a structured training ecosystem for marine surface preparation and coating professionals. The initiative aims to enhance technical standards, improve safety practices, and align Indian workers with global industry benchmarks. Strengthening India’s Maritime Workforce The new skill centre is expected to significantly boost India’s shipbuilding and maritime capabilities by creating a certified and highly skilled talent pool. It aligns with the broader vision of strengthening domestic manufacturing and enhancing global competitiveness in the marine sector. About Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited is a leading defence public sector undertaking under the Government of India, primarily engaged in the construction of warships and submarines for the Indian Navy. Headquartered in Mumbai, MDL is one of India’s premier shipyards and plays a critical role in strengthening the country’s maritime defence capabilities through advanced engineering and indigenous shipbuilding expertise. Read also: MDL, Indian Navy and Brazilian Navy Sign Trilateral MoU to Enhance Scorpène-Class Submarine Maintenance and Maritime Cooperation
