Maritime News, Dubai, UAE / New Delhi, India: In a significant step toward expanding India–UAE maritime cooperation, Vijay Kumar (IAS), Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), held a strategic meeting with Rado Antolovic, Chief Executive Officer of Drydocks World, to explore expanded collaboration in ship repair, maritime infrastructure development, and integrated logistics solutions.
The discussions reflected a forward-looking approach to strengthening industrial and technological cooperation between the two maritime nations.
Focus on Ship Repair and Offshore Fabrication
The meeting centered on expanding collaboration in:
- Ship repair and dry docking capacity
- Offshore fabrication and engineering services
- Development of world-class ship repair clusters
- Introduction of advanced marine engineering capabilities
Both sides explored opportunities to leverage India’s expanding port ecosystem and strategic coastal geography to build globally competitive maritime service hubs.
The dialogue aligns with India’s broader ambition to position itself as a major global centre for ship repair and marine services — a segment currently dominated by established hubs in the Middle East and East Asia.
Sagarmala and Port-Led Industrialisation
Vijay Kumar highlighted India’s ongoing maritime transformation under the Sagarmala programme, emphasising:
- Port-led industrialisation
- Development of Coastal Economic Zones
- Multimodal logistics integration
- Ease of doing business reforms
He reiterated India’s long-term vision of becoming a global maritime hub by strengthening domestic shipbuilding and ship repair capabilities, modernising port infrastructure, and fostering private sector participation.
Technology, Sustainability and Green Maritime Practices
Rado Antolovic outlined Drydocks World’s global experience in complex vessel repairs, offshore energy projects, and marine engineering services. He expressed interest in expanding operations in India through:
- Technology partnerships
- Skill development programmes
- Sustainable maritime solutions
- Digital integration across logistics networks
The discussions also touched upon collaboration in green maritime practices, including:
- Energy-efficient ship retrofits
- Decarbonisation strategies
- Sustainable port operations
This reflects the growing importance of environmental compliance and digital transformation in global maritime trade.
Strengthening Strategic Maritime Value Chains
Both sides acknowledged the potential for joint ventures, knowledge exchange, and capacity building initiatives to enhance maritime value chains across ship repair, logistics, and offshore services.
The engagement signals strengthening India–UAE industrial ties in the maritime domain, complementing broader economic cooperation between the two countries.
Strategic Implication
India’s push to develop ship repair clusters and expand marine engineering capability could significantly reduce outbound vessel repair dependency, attract international tonnage, and generate high-value employment within coastal states.
For the UAE, collaboration offers expanded access to India’s growing maritime infrastructure and emerging industrial corridors.
The meeting marks another milestone in deepening India–UAE maritime partnership, reflecting shared ambitions to strengthen trade connectivity, industrial cooperation, and long-term strategic alignment in the Indian Ocean region.
