Taking Baby-Steps in Building a Maritime Innovation Ecosystem

Padmesh Prabhune

Pics: Container ship unloading at Indian Port; K A Sudesh , Amit Oza, and Arathi Narayanan

T
he Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), last Monday issued a draft ‘Sagarmala Innovation and Start-up Policy’ with an aim to nurture startups and other entities to co-create the future of India’s growing maritime sector.

The draft policy identified several key areas for the startups to flourish in, including decarbonisation, optimising processes through data, maritime education, multi-modal transportation, manufacturing, alternate/advanced materials, maritime cyber-security, smart communication and marine electronics.

Through this policy, MoPSW desires to enable startups to grow and prosper through innovation.

Appreciating the initiatives taken by the centre, many in the Indian mercantile marine industry have welcomed the move; but be it the academia or the industry stakeholders, reservations about it abound as all this is still at a nascent stage.

It seems that the government machinery is all set to finalize the fine print of the new maritime syllabi on Skill Development programs, and on Inland water ways. Sources say while they are ready to introduce the tailor made courses, the real challenge lies in maintaining the balance, for it has to be a win-win situation for training institutes from both, financial as well as operational, aspects.

Primarily the challenges would be in maintaining all inclusive courses along with a regular standard regime, duration, and above all, with maximum students’ participation. The fee structure too has to be affordable for both- students at Pre-sea level and existing Seafarers. The financial affordability of those already sailing on foreign ships and the ones pursuing entry level studies are not comparable.

Also, it seems an option in medium of instruction could be helpful, preferably in regional languages as English at times acts as a barrier. Else faculty who can also explain in regional languages could be an alternative.

While the syllabi will be known only once it is out, most of the industry players Marex spoke to seem to be satisfied, acknowledging the fact that finally some initiatives are being taken for betterment of the industry.

While K A Sudesh, Director, Monter Shipping & Logistics (India) Pvt Ltd. noted that the draft policy very elaborately covers the points and is well thought out, Amit Oza, Director Astramar Shipping & Trading, said, “It is a great step in the right direction and provides the way forward.”

“India has a limited presence among global maritime players who operate assets; so given this backdrop it may require careful mapping of the existing maritime commercial model to make viable plans for start-ups.”

Agreed D Niseeth, a media professional, who said that the Sagarmala Draft Policy is an appropriate step that will assist in creating a strong ecosystem for enabling startups and innovation in India, adding, “Over the span of 8 successful years of Sagarmala, the maritime sector has captured all the possible opportunities for the port-led development, and as one knows various initiatives and projects have been undertaken to facilitate shifting of cargo from conventional land-based transportation to coastal shipping mode.”

Pointing towards the innovation and digitalization angle, Arathi Narayanan, Head -Administration, ABS Marine Services, said, “Digitalization would definitely help in completing regular procedures with faster turnaround times. The time spent in obtaining clearances, especially for Indian flag vessels, is very long and tedious and perhaps this would be addressed as well.

“Also, creating awareness of mercantile shipping among general public and higher skill development with economical simulation training, will definitely add to skilled manpower in areas of diversified offshore operations.”

While the draft policy has emphasized on developing a centralized repository containing all pertinent information to assist emerging entrepreneurs, further mentioning about a need to collaborate with national and international stakeholders for mentorship and knowledge sharing, and facilitating access to global subject matter experts, serial entrepreneurs, business leaders, and investors with the potential to get their entry and scaling in India, it has not discussed anything on asset creation and how this might be incorporated gradually.

Perhaps this is the first baby step in the right direction for the policy aims to create a field to establish long-term action plans, networks, infrastructure, and other resources to build a robust maritime innovation ecosystem.

Marex Media