New Delhi: India and South Korea have signed an agreement to strengthen skill development in the shipbuilding and marine sector, aiming to build a globally competitive maritime ecosystem.
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) entered into a Plan of Implementation with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) to support workforce development under India’s Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047. The initiative seeks to position shipbuilding as a key driver of economic growth and enhance India’s global maritime standing.
Under the partnership, KOICA and the Korea Research Institute for Vocational Education and Training will conduct detailed studies of India’s shipbuilding and marine engineering sectors. This will include workforce mapping, skill gap analysis and a roadmap for human resource development.
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said the collaboration marks a significant step toward creating a future-ready and technologically advanced maritime workforce. He emphasised that the initiative would help transform India into a global shipbuilding hub.
The project will also feature bilateral workshops in both countries, bringing together industry leaders, policymakers and academic experts to exchange best practices and strengthen cooperation.
Additionally, discussions are underway to establish a Shipbuilding Workforce Development and Technology Cooperation Center in India. The proposed facility will focus on vocational training, technical skill enhancement and productivity improvement.
The collaboration is expected to boost institutional capacity and align training programmes with industry requirements, leveraging South Korea’s expertise to strengthen India’s maritime sector.
