Technical Session Held on Deep Ocean Mission & Blue Economy

Padmesh Prabhune

Photos from this link please – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZysBvLCovDw

The Institution of Naval Architects (INA), a non-profit, technical, professional organization in the maritime, naval and offshore industry, dedicated to continuing education, professional development, exchange of technical information and knowledge, international cooperation, and technology innovation and entrepreneurship in the maritime, naval, shipbuilding & offshore industry, held a webinar – Deep Ocean Mission & Blue Economy for sustainable development, last Saturday September 23, 2023 to discuss and understand its significance in totality.

While the Session was chaired by Dr SSC Shenoi, and coordinated by Dr VBS Ayyangar, INA, Dr C.P Ramanarayan was the chief guest for the session.

The presentation on the topic was made by Dr M V Ramana Murthy, an Indian Scientist and Engineer, Mission Director for Deep Ocean mission and Director at National Centre for Coastal Research, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India. He is the former Director of Centre for Marine Living Resources & Ecology.

Dr M V Ramana Murthy, a National Expert on Climate Resilient Coastal Protection, with over three decades of experience in Ocean engineering and Marine pollution, who has served on many national committees, including the Research Advisory Committees of CMLRE and NCESS and Governing Council of NIOT, having published over 100 papers in national and international referred journals and proceedings, produced over 20 technical reports; made a detailed presentation on the various aspects of Deep Ocean Mission and Blue economy.

In India, the ‘Blue Economy’ encompasses a wide range of sectors, including shipping, tourism, fisheries, and offshore oil and gas exploration.

Blue economy refers to the sustainable use of marine resources for exploration, economic growth, improved livelihood, and transport, while preserving the health of marine and coastal ecosystems.

Deep Ocean Mission

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is one of the collaborators of the Ministry of Earth Sciences for implementation of the Deep Ocean Mission.

The mission focuses on the following six thematic areas i) Development of Technologies for Deep Sea Mining, Manned Submersible, and Underwater Robotics, ii) Development of Ocean Climate Change Advisory Services, iii) Technological innovations for exploration and conservation of deep-sea biodiversity, iv) Deep Ocean Survey& Explorations v) Energy & fresh water from ocean, and vi) Advanced marine station for ocean biology.

The National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), an autonomous institute under the Ministry of Earth Sciences is developing a manned submersible, ‘Matsya’, with a capacity to carry three human beings to 6000 m ocean depths.

India would be the sixth country to achieve the mark following China (2010), Japan (1989), Russia (1987), France (1987), USA (1964). The Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) of ISRO is involved in developing a titanium alloy human sphere of 2.1 m diameter for the manned submersible. The overall estimated cost of the Deep Ocean Mission is Rs. 4077 crores for a period of five years (2021 to 2026).

The mission aims to support the ‘Blue Economy’, an initiative endorsed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The mission envisages the sustainable extraction of ocean resources to bolster India’s economic growth, and job creation. It will also ensure the health of marine ecosystems.

However one needs to understand what is the contributions of the Blue economy and also that mapping of oceans is necessary.

Dr C.P Ramanaryan appreciated the lecture whole heartedly with a word of caution for making it a cost effective solution. whereas Dr SSC Shenoi summarized the session.

Mr Jyotisman Dasgupta President, INA, thanked all the dignitaries for making it a success, ensuring all help and support. Thereafter Dr VBS Ayyangar, INA delivered the vote of thanks.

-Marex Media