Lloyd’s Register (LR) has partnered with the Government of India’s Directorate General of Shipping for the creation of the Indian Ocean Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Maritime Transport (IOCE-SMarT).
The initiative enhances the Maritime Training Institute (MTI) in Mumbai, transforming it into a hub of maritime excellence in partnership with the IMO’s global Maritime Technologies Cooperation Centre (MTCC) network. The IOCE-SMarT aims to advance the maritime sector in India and South Asia through technological innovation, sustainable practices, digital proficiency, and technical cooperation.
Aligned with India’s aspiration for international maritime leadership, IOCE-SMarT will facilitate a holistic hub of maritime excellence across research, technology, and industry partnerships to benefit the entire region. Using its experience as a trusted adviser and its capabilities on regional maritime policy, LR will assist the regulatory authority with strategic planning, including needs assessment, stakeholder consultation, strategic alignment, and institutional framework development.
LR will help develop service channels through collaboration with IMO, integration with the MTCC Network, and detailing initiatives for IOCE-SMarT. LR will also support institutional setup, infrastructure development, financial planning, and provide a detailed project report and implementation roadmap. MTI’s location, physical infrastructure, expertise, and government support collectively position it as an ideal candidate for transformation into a centre of excellence. It provides close access to maritime organisations and activities, while facilitating seamless movement through Mumbai’s well developed transportation network.
Shri Shyam Jagannathan, IAS, India’s Director General of Shipping, said: “The IOCE-SMaRT will be a one of its kind centre in the South Asian Region where India will take a lead with other BIMSTEC partners to ensure that the region becomes a leader in sustainable maritime transportation Initiatives and centre will ensure maritime capacity building for the entire Indian Ocean Region.”
Ambrish Bansal – LR SVP Consulting, said: “The establishment of a new regional centre is aligned with aspirations of associated countries to lead maritime sustainable growth globally. This initiative would bridge the gap by establishing a holistic hub of maritime excellence across research, technology innovation and industry partnerships bringing a synergy of capabilities across the region. LR would leverage years of experience in maritime sector and global network to make this successful.”
Image: Ambrish Bansal, LR (source: Lloyd’s Register)
