New Delhi: In a landmark move to strengthen the global maritime sector, Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), Drydocks World (a DP World company), the Centre of Excellence in Maritime and Shipbuilding (CEMS), and Drydocks World Dubai (DDW) have signed a Tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaboratively bridge skill gaps in the maritime workforce. The agreement aims to develop an industry-ready, highly skilled workforce that meets international standards by offering globally aligned training programs.
Signatories and Key Figures at India Maritime Week 2025
The MoU was officially signed during the India Maritime Week 2025, with significant figures from the maritime and shipping sectors in attendance. The signatories included Mr. Madhu S. Nair, Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Cochin Shipyard Limited; Mr. K. Sethu Madhavan, CEO of the Centre of Excellence in Maritime and Shipbuilding (CEMS); and Captain Rado Antolovic, CEO of Drydocks World Dubai. The event was graced by the presence of Mr. Sarbananda Sonowal, Hon’ble Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways (India), and H.E. Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO of DP World.
Aiming to Bridge Skill Gaps and Enhance Workforce Competency
This tripartite collaboration aims to address the growing demand for a skilled maritime workforce by offering training programs that align with global industry standards. By bridging existing skill gaps and enhancing workforce competencies, the partnership intends to improve the operational efficiency of the global maritime sector while creating more career opportunities for maritime professionals.
Commitment to Global Industry Standards
Mr. Madhu S. Nair, CMD of CSL, expressed his excitement about the partnership, highlighting how this initiative will not only benefit the Indian maritime industry but also contribute to the global maritime community by producing highly trained professionals.
In his address, Mr. K. Sethu Madhavan of CEMS emphasized the importance of bridging skill gaps and aligning the workforce training with global industry standards, stating that this collaboration would pave the way for long-term sustainable growth in the maritime and shipbuilding industries.
Captain Rado Antolovic, CEO of Drydocks World Dubai, shared his optimism about the MoU, mentioning how this initiative will create a pipeline of qualified professionals capable of handling the increasing demands of the global shipping industry.
Strengthening India’s Maritime Position
The agreement underscores the strong commitment of India and DP World to enhancing the maritime workforce’s skill set through internationally recognized certifications and training methods. As part of the MoU, the parties involved will work to align existing training systems with best practices, ensuring that the workforce is prepared to meet the evolving demands of the maritime sector.
Mr. Sarbananda Sonowal, in his address, emphasized that this collaboration would help boost India’s maritime capabilities, make the workforce more competitive globally, and strengthen India’s position as a maritime hub.
H.E. Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem of DP World also lauded the initiative, recognizing it as a strategic move to build the maritime sector’s future workforce. He stated that this collaboration would not only support DP World’s global maritime operations but would also create a model for international cooperation in the training and development of maritime professionals.
Cochin Shipyard Limited
Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) is a government-owned Indian shipyard established in 1972, specializing in shipbuilding and ship repair. As a public sector undertaking under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, CSL is a Category I Miniratna company with a large capacity to build ships up to 1,10,000 DWT and repair vessels up to 1,25,000 DWT. CSL has gained global recognition for its work, including building India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier, and it also operates a marine engineering training institute. As a key player in the maritime sector, CSL continues to drive innovation and excellence, contributing to the nation’s self-reliance in shipbuilding and marine engineering.
Read also: Cochin Shipyard Bags ₹2,000+ Crore Order to Build Six LNG-Powered Container Ships in India
