SHM Global recognised for India's first IRS-approved indigenous lifeboats

Mumbai-based SHM Global has been recognised by the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) for developing the KISS 700 and PN95FA totally enclosed fire-protected lifeboats, the first of their kind to be designed and manufactured in India with IRS type approval. The recognition highlights the company's contribution to strengthening India's indigenous maritime manufacturing capabilities under the Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiatives.

The felicitation was presented by Praveen K. Mishra, Managing Director, Indian Register of Shipping (IRS), at the organisation's headquarters in Powai, Mumbai. SHM Global was recognised for developing the lifeboats in collaboration with Palfinger Marine, with both products receiving IRS type approval certification.

The KISS 700 and PN95FA lifeboats are designed for the maritime sector and represent a step towards increasing India's self-reliance in critical maritime and offshore infrastructure.

Praveen K. Mishra, Managing Director, Indian Register of Shipping (IRS), said: "I'd like to congratulate SHM Global on turning their dream into reality. Despite stringent and elaborate IMO requirements, SHM Global achieved full compliance and certification within a short span of time, which is a genuinely challenging feat. I encourage other Indian manufacturers in the maritime sector to pursue IRS type approval and become indigenous producers. This reduces our reliance on foreign imports and strengthens India's self-reliance, a true step towards Aatmanirbhar Bharat."

T. Ghosh, Senior Principal Surveyor, Indian Register of Shipping (IRS), said: "I would like to congratulate the SHM team — this was a complex project, as this type of lifeboat has never been built in India before. Saifuddin Hajee's vision brought to life the PN95FA and KISS 700, both enclosed lifeboats designed for tankers and built to SOLAS standards. With Palfinger as a strong technical partner and SHM Global's own capability and experience, the boats successfully cleared IRS's rigorous design appraisal and testing for lifesaving appliances. We're proud to have reviewed the documentation and finally issued the certificate, taking lifeboat design in India to a new level."

Mohammed Hajee, CEO, Maritime Safety and Security, SHM Global, said: "Marine safety systems are mission-critical for maritime operations. This recognition from the Indian Register of Shipping is a matter of pride for SHM Global. It reflects the commitment and efforts of our teams in developing indigenous marine safety solutions in India."

According to the company, the project reflects its approach of designing products to meet Indian requirements while maintaining global standards. It said the achievement demonstrates its commitment to strengthening the domestic maritime manufacturing ecosystem through innovation, engineering excellence and the Make in India initiative, while supporting the Government of India's Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision to reduce dependence on imports and build indigenous capabilities in strategic sectors.

SHM Global currently holds approvals for 8-10 products across different categories, with more products under development. The company said the recognition by the Indian Register of Shipping also highlights the role of regulatory and classification bodies in supporting indigenous innovation and building confidence in locally developed maritime solutions.