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04th November 2024 (12 Topics)

Maritime Education Hub

Context

The Kerala Maritime Board has issued a call for expressions of interest to develop a cutting-edge maritime education hub in Neendakara, Kollam, through a public-private partnership. 

About the Maritime Education Hub

  • The proposed maritime education hub will be developed through a public-private partnership and aims to offer a wide range of courses, including:
    • Marine Engineering
    • Maritime Law
    • Marine Technology
    • Nautical Science
    • Naval Architecture
    • Offshore Engineering
  • In addition to academic offerings, the hub will focus on providing placement and career development opportunities, ensuring that graduates are well-equipped to meet the industry's needs.
  • Strategic Location and Collaborations: Kerala's strategic position along the Arabian Sea, with direct access to international shipping routes, enhances its role as a key hub for trade and maritime activities in the Indian Ocean region. The state’s vibrant maritime ecosystem will facilitate partnerships between industry and academia, promoting internships, research, knowledge exchange, and skill development programs.
  • Alignment with National Vision: The establishment of the maritime education hub is part of the Shipping Ministry’s Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, which outlines 39 initiatives aimed at creating a robust innovation ecosystem within the maritime sector.
    • This vision focuses on elevating education, research, and training to meet global standards, reinforcing India's position in the international maritime landscape.
  • Need: This initiative responds to the rising demand for skilled professionals in the maritime sector, driven by India's projected ship management sector growth of 6% annually. With the increasing shipping volumes and the expansion of coastal and cruise tourism, the need for comprehensive maritime training has become imperative.
      • With India’s share of the global seafaring workforce expected to increase from 10-12% to 20% over the next decade, addressing the anticipated talent gap is crucial.

Fact Box: India’s Maritime Sector

  • India has a remarkable marine position with a 7,500 km long coastline and 1,382 offshore islands. 
  • India has 14,500 kilometers of potentially navigable waterways, apart from a strategic location on important maritime trade routes.
  • The country’s maritime sector plays a vital role in its trade and economic growth, as 95 percent of the country’s trade by volume and 65 percent of the trade by value is undertaken through maritime transport.
  • The coastal economy sustains over 4 million fishermen and India is the second largest fish-producing nation in the world with a fleet of about 2,50,000 fishing boats.
  • Important Initiatives: Maritime India Vision 2030, Sagar Mala Program, Indian Maritime Centre (IMC), Indian International Maritime Dispute Resolution Centre (IIMDRC), 100% FDI Policy

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