India Launches Indian Ocean Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Maritime Transport

Lloyd’s Register (LR) has joined forces with the Government of India’s Directorate General of Shipping to establish the Indian Ocean Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Maritime Transport (IOCE-SMarT). This collaboration aims to elevate the Maritime Training Institute in Mumbai into a center of maritime excellence in partnership with the IMO’s global Maritime Technologies Cooperation Centre (MTCC) network. The IOCE-SMarT seeks to advance the maritime sector in India and South Asia through technological innovation, sustainable practices, digital proficiency, and technical cooperation.

Aligned with India’s goal of international maritime leadership, the IOCE-SMarT will serve as a comprehensive hub of maritime excellence focusing on research, technology, and industry partnerships to benefit the entire region. LR, leveraging its expertise as a trusted advisor, will support the regulatory authority in strategic planning, including needs assessment, stakeholder consultation, strategic alignment, and institutional framework development. LR will also assist in developing service channels, collaborating with the IMO, integrating with the MTCC Network, and detailing initiatives for IOCE-SMarT.

The Maritime Training Institute’s strategic location, robust infrastructure, specialized expertise, and government backing make it an ideal candidate for transformation into a Centre of Excellence. Situated in Mumbai with easy access to maritime organizations and activities, it offers seamless connectivity through the city’s well-developed transportation network. Shri Shyam Jagannathan, IAS, India’s Director General of Shipping, emphasized the importance of IOCE-SMaRT in positioning India as a leader in Sustainable Maritime Transportation Initiatives, fostering maritime capacity building in the Indian Ocean Region. Ambrish Bansal, Sr. VP, Consulting at Lloyd’s Register, highlighted the initiative’s role in promoting maritime sustainable growth globally and emphasized LR’s commitment to leveraging its experience and global network for the success of the center.

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