India partners with Korea to develop shipbuilding workforce skills

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) has signed a Plan of Implementation with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) on April 2, 2026, to strengthen skill development in India’s shipbuilding sector.

The project, aligned with the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, is titled ‘Support the Establishment of Development Strategies and to Build a Foundation for Skilled and Professional Talents for the Indian Shipbuilding and Marine Sector’. It aims to position shipbuilding as a key sector for India’s economic growth and global maritime standing.

Under the collaboration, KOICA, with support from the Korea Research Institute for Vocational Education and Training and other stakeholders, will conduct comprehensive research on India’s shipbuilding and marine engineering industries. The initiative will include workforce mapping, skill gap assessment, and the preparation of a master plan and roadmap for human resource development.

Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said the partnership marks a defining moment in India’s maritime journey, aimed at building a future-ready and globally competitive shipbuilding ecosystem. He added that the collaboration will help create a strong base of skilled and technologically equipped professionals to support India’s growth as a global shipbuilding hub, while also strengthening institutional capacity and generating employment opportunities.

As part of the project, bilateral workshops on workforce development will be held in India and the Republic of Korea. These will bring together industry leaders, policymakers, academic experts and other stakeholders to exchange best practices and strengthen cooperation.

The collaboration is expected to support workforce analysis, improve institutional capacity and help design structured training programmes for a skilled maritime workforce by leveraging Korea’s technological expertise.

Discussions are also in the final stage for setting up a ‘Shipbuilding Workforce Development and Technology Cooperation Center’ in India. The proposed centre will focus on industry-oriented vocational training, improving technical skills and enhancing productivity through advanced training programmes tailored to the shipbuilding sector.

The initiative is expected to support India’s efforts to develop its shipbuilding and maritime sectors through capacity building, international collaboration and workforce development.