Maritime News, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India: India’s maritime safety manufacturing sector marked a significant milestone as the country’s first indigenous lifeboat received certification from the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS), acting on behalf of the Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping).
The lifeboat has been manufactured by SHM Group (SHM Shipcare Pvt. Ltd.), a maritime solutions provider engaged in safety systems, shipbuilding, and engineering services, in partnership with Palfinger Marine, a global marine equipment manufacturer headquartered in Austria.
The certification confirms that the lifeboat complies with internationally recognized maritime safety, engineering, and regulatory standards — a crucial requirement for deployment across commercial vessels, offshore platforms, and coastal fleets.
Strengthening India’s Maritime Self-Reliance
The development represents an important step in advancing India’s indigenous manufacturing capabilities under the broader Atmanirbhar Bharat vision.
As India expands its port infrastructure, offshore energy operations, and shipping capacity, the availability of locally manufactured and certified safety equipment is expected to:
- Improve response time for maintenance and servicing
- Enhance lifecycle support within India
- Reduce dependency on imports
- Strengthen safety compliance across fleets
The certification by IRS ensures that the lifeboat meets rigorous classification and safety norms applicable to both domestic and international maritime operations.
Supporting Coastal and Offshore Operations
With increasing coastal shipping activity and offshore installations in oil & gas and renewable energy sectors, certified life-saving appliances remain central to operational readiness.
Indigenous production of lifeboats offers logistical advantages including:
- Faster delivery timelines
- Cost efficiencies
- Availability of spares
- Technical support within domestic shipyards and ports
This milestone is expected to contribute to safer maritime operations while supporting India’s growing blue economy ecosystem.
Industry Perspective
Commenting on the achievement, Saifuddin Hajee, Chairman, SHM Group, stated:
“Receiving this certification from IRS is an important milestone for SHM. It reflects our commitment to India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat vision while upholding the highest standards of quality and regulatory compliance in everything we build and deliver. As we look ahead, we remain focused on innovation and operational excellence in the maritime safety and shipbuilding industry.”
SHM Group has consistently positioned itself as a provider of integrated maritime safety solutions, reinforcing its longstanding commitment to enabling safer and more secure operations at sea.
Industry Background
SHM Group (SHM Shipcare Pvt. Ltd.), established in 2001, operates in the domains of maritime safety systems, shipbuilding, and engineering services. The company traces its legacy to 1885 and serves ports, government agencies, and maritime operators in India and abroad.
