Loading...
The Indian government’s ambitious push to boost the domestic shipbuilding industry, announced in the Union Budget, is already drawing international interest, with South Korea stepping forward to collaborate on key initiatives. The Korea Marine Equipment Association (KOMEA), a Seoul-based non-profit under South Korea’s Ministry of Industry, Trade and Energy, has offered its support to Indian shipyards for joint vessel design and construction, modernisation of shipyard production facilities, and technology transfer to enhance manufacturing processes, according to multiple sources.
KOMEA, which represents major Korean shipbuilding and ship repair enterprises—including HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, Hanwa Ocean (formerly Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering), and Samsung Heavy Industries—has formally pledged to provide highly qualified specialists for on-site education and training. The association also aims to develop joint educational programs, supply industrial equipment for modernising Indian shipyards, facilitate technology transfer, and support the localisation of marine equipment and spare parts.
Founded in 1980, KOMEA has been instrumental in promoting South Korean marine equipment manufacturers globally and currently has a membership base of 304 entities involved in shipbuilding, design, and repair. The association operates in eight countries, including China, Japan, Singapore, the United States, Greece, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, and Russia. With plans to expand its footprint in India, KOMEA sees the country as a strategic partner in advancing shipbuilding capabilities under a bilateral cooperation framework.
“Building strong cooperative relationships between South Korean entities and Indian shipyards could significantly contribute to the growth of the shipbuilding industry in both nations,” a KOMEA official stated. “With over four decades of experience, KOMEA and its members can provide effective solutions to challenges in the shipbuilding sector within a short timeframe.”
The Union Budget, presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, earmarked ₹25,000 crore for the Maritime Development Fund (MDF) and introduced a revamped shipbuilding financial assistance policy to counter cost disadvantages. Additional measures include credit incentives for shipbreaking at Indian yards to promote a circular economy and granting infrastructure status to large ships above a specified size. The government also announced plans to develop shipbuilding clusters with enhanced infrastructure, skilling initiatives, and technological advancements to strengthen the industry’s ecosystem.
A significant boost for shipbuilders came with the extension of the exemption from Basic Customs Duty (BCD) on raw materials, components, consumables, and parts used in ship manufacturing. This exemption, originally set to expire, will now be extended for another ten years from April 1, 2025.
Ahead of the budget announcement, high-level delegations from the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, along with representatives from the private shipbuilding sector, visited leading shipyards in South Korea and Japan. These visits were aimed at forging partnerships and leveraging global expertise to strengthen India’s shipbuilding industry. With South Korea now expressing formal interest in collaboration, the stage is set for India to accelerate its shipbuilding ambitions and emerge as a formidable player in the global maritime sector.
Source: ET Infra
DP World’s Shipping Solutions AMEA business is expanding its partnership with VisionSpring Foundation to provide free eye screenings and prescription glasses to approximately 12,000 commercial drivers and transport workers across India, supporting driver wellbeing and safer goods movement along the country’s trade corridors. The expanded programme builds on a 2025 initiative in Gujarat, which screened 9,000 drivers and transport workers and distributed more than 5,200 pairs of prescription glasses. Of those screened, 61% were identified as requiring vision correction, while 94% of those who received glasses were first-time wearers—highlighting the unmet need for accessible eyecare among transport workers. The programme was launched at Jawaharlal Nehru Port in Mumbai, with further screenings planned in Kochi, Delhi and Kolkata. Commercial drivers connect ports, factories, businesses and consumers across India, often working long hours and under demanding schedules that can make routine eye examinations difficult to access. Through screenings at ports, logistics hubs and transport centres, DP World’s Shipping Solutions and VisionSpring Foundation aim to make essential eyecare available without disrupting drivers’ work. Participants will receive eye examinations from trained healthcare professionals. Those requiring vision correction will be provided prescription glasses free of charge, while individuals showing signs of conditions such as cataracts or glaucoma will be referred to local charitable or government healthcare providers for further diagnosis and treatment. The programme will also offer guidance on eye health and recognising early signs of vision deterioration. CM Muraleedharan, Regional Director, Shipping Solutions AMEA, DP World, said the initiative recognises the critical role commercial drivers play in keeping trade moving. He added that improving access to eyecare can support safer road movement and supply-chain reliability, emphasising that investment in people is as important as investment in infrastructure. Anshu Taneja, Managing Director, VisionSpring Foundation, said clear vision is essential for safe driving, while avoidable vision impairment continues to affect professional drivers. He noted that the expanded partnership would help reach more drivers with eyecare, supporting road safety, livelihoods and the transport networks relied upon by communities and businesses. The initiative forms part of DP World’s broader commitment to supporting the people and communities underpinning global trade, with a focus on driver wellbeing, safer transport operations and more resilient supply chains across India.
GMR Aero Technic (GAT) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with France-based UUDS Aero to develop advanced aircraft cabin interiors capabilities in India, with plans to establish an Integrated Cabin Excellence Centre at GAT’s Hyderabad facility. The partnership will bring together GMR Aero Technic’s maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) infrastructure and operational capabilities with UUDS Aero’s expertise in cabin interior design, engineering, certification and production. The proposed centre will focus on a comprehensive range of services, spanning cabin design and modification to certification, repair, retrofit, refurbishment, manufacturing and installation. The collaboration aims to provide airlines and aircraft operators with integrated cabin interior solutions, while expanding the scope of specialised aviation services available through India’s growing MRO ecosystem. UUDS Aero brings European design and production credentials to the partnership, holding EASA Part 21J Design Organisation Approval (DOA) and Part 21G Production Organisation Approval (POA). Combined with GMR Aero Technic’s established MRO capabilities, these competencies are expected to support the development of end-to-end cabin solutions for customers in India and international markets. Ashok Gopinath, President and Accountable Manager, GMR Aero Technic, described the agreement as an important milestone in strengthening the company’s aircraft cabin interior capabilities. “The partnership would combine UUDS Aero’s design and certification expertise with GMR Aero Technic’s MRO strengths to deliver integrated cabin solutions across domestic and international markets,” he said. Ashane Gunaratne, Group Chief Technology Officer and Managing Director – Middle East, UUDS Aero, said the collaboration reflected the company’s long-term commitment to the Indian aviation market. “The complementary technical capabilities of both organisations across cabin design, engineering, certification, manufacturing and MRO, with a shared focus on innovation, stronger technical capabilities and sustainable growth,” he highlighted. The proposed Integrated Cabin Excellence Centre marks a step towards broadening GMR Aero Technic’s specialised service portfolio and deepening technical collaboration with an international aerospace partner. Its development is intended to strengthen the availability of integrated aircraft cabin interior capabilities in India, serving the evolving requirements of airlines and aircraft operators.
SAL (Saudi Logistics Services) has signed a conditional agreement to acquire 100% shares of Aviapartner Liège from Aviapartner Belgium NV and Aviapartner Holding NV, marking a strategic step in the Saudi logistics company’s international expansion ambitions. The proposed acquisition, valued at an enterprise value of EUR 28 million, will provide SAL with an operational foothold at Liège Airport, one of Europe’s key air cargo gateways. The transaction remains subject to customary regulatory approvals and closing conditions. The move is expected to strengthen SAL’s cargo handling and logistics capabilities beyond the Kingdom while expanding connectivity across global trade corridors. By integrating Aviapartner Liège’s operations into its network, the company aims to enhance operational efficiency, deepen airline and customer partnerships, and reinforce its international logistics platform. Commenting on the development, Omar Hariri said the acquisition represents a strategic milestone in SAL’s global growth journey and reflects the company’s ambition to build an integrated logistics ecosystem aligned with Saudi Arabia’s National Transport and Logistics Strategy and Vision 2030 objectives. The acquisition is also expected to support revenue diversification and operational integration while positioning SAL as an increasingly significant player in the international cargo and logistics landscape.
