In a bold move to reinforce India's vision of becoming a global maritime powerhouse and achieving self-reliance in defence manufacturing, the Warship Design Bureau (WDB) organised a one-day seminar titled "Shipbuilding Seminar – Nation Building Through Shipbuilding" at the Manekshaw Centre, Delhi Cantonment on July 23, 2025. The event served as a high-level platform for policy dialogue, technological foresight, and collaborative industry-academia engagement.
CNS Sets the Strategic Tone with Vision 2047
The Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, delivered the keynote address virtually, laying out a comprehensive roadmap under the Indian Navy's Vision 2047. This strategic vision aims to transform the Navy into a technologically advanced, fully Aatmanirbhar (self-reliant) force built on the pillars of invention, innovation, indigenisation, and integration of disruptive technologies.
Admiral Tripathi highlighted a landmark milestone in India's defence shipbuilding journey—the delivery of the 100th indigenously designed warship. Far more than a numeric accomplishment, the CNS stressed that this was emblematic of India's evolving capacity for strategic foresight, maritime autonomy, and technological leadership.
He emphasized that the Warship Design Bureau, the Indian Navy's in-house design powerhouse, has been pivotal in crafting a future-ready force, having contributed over 20 ship designs and enabled the construction of 100+ warships over six decades.
Diverse Stakeholder Participation: A Cross-Sectoral Dialogue
The seminar brought together senior dignitaries, defence officials, industrialists, academics, and technology experts. Notable participants included representatives from:
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Ministry of Defence (MoD)
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Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW)
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Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE)
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Indian Navy and Public/Private Shipyards
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Classification Societies (e.g., IRS, DNV)
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Academic and Research Institutions
This cross-sectoral representation ensured that every facet of the shipbuilding ecosystem—from policy and design to manpower and industry capacity—was given a platform for deliberation.
Technical Sessions: Policy, Technology & Capacity Building
The seminar featured four focused technical sessions, each addressing a vital component of India's shipbuilding framework:
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Policy and Regulatory Environment Experts and officials reviewed existing shipbuilding policies, identified regulatory bottlenecks, and proposed reforms to streamline approvals and incentivize indigenous content.
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Indigenous Design & Technological Excellence This session showcased India's evolving capabilities in warship design, with presentations on modular construction, AI-enabled design systems, and smart ship platforms.
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Global Technology Trends and Emerging Systems Insights were shared on futuristic shipbuilding technologies, such as composite hull materials, electric propulsion systems, and unmanned maritime platforms, drawing from global best practices.
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Human Resource Development & Ease of Doing Business Emphasis was laid on upskilling shipbuilding manpower, promoting maritime-specific vocational training, and simplifying business processes to make India's shipbuilding sector globally competitive.
Industry and Academia: Enablers of Innovation
A key highlight was the recognition of the crucial role played by academic institutions and industry R&D units in pushing the frontiers of naval architecture and marine engineering. Discussions ranged from indigenous software tools for hull form optimization to cyber-physical systems for shipyard automation.
The seminar served as a brainstorming platform where industry leaders addressed challenges such as supply chain delays, dependence on foreign OEMs, and lack of skilled welders and technicians, while exploring collaborative models to overcome them.
Strategic Imperative: Nation Building Through Shipbuilding
Participants unanimously agreed that the shipbuilding sector is not merely an economic activity—it is a strategic industry vital to national security, economic resilience, and diplomatic reach. With maritime traffic projected to double in the Indo-Pacific, India's capacity to field modern naval platforms and support friendly foreign navies is essential to regional stability.
The seminar called for increased investment in maritime R&D, creation of greenfield shipyards, and development of a sustainable ship recycling ecosystem to complement the shipbuilding industry. Participants also flagged the need for policy continuity, public-private partnerships, and export facilitation to fuel the sector's growth.
Towards a Globally Competitive Maritime Ecosystem
The Shipbuilding Seminar – Nation Building Through Shipbuilding not only celebrated India's achievements but also offered a blueprint for future action. The Warship Design Bureau's legacy and forward-looking design philosophy were recognized as the backbone of India's naval indigenisation drive.
By anchoring discussions in national interest, strategic foresight, and technological innovation, the seminar reinforced India's unwavering commitment to transforming its maritime industrial base into a global hub by 2047—a vision aligning seamlessly with the broader goals of Viksit Bharat.
Shipbuilding Seminar Charts Path to Maritime Power and Self-Reliance by 2047
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