NSDRC recommends greenfield shipyards

Visakhapatnam-based National Ship Design and Research Centre (NSDRC) has asked Indian shipyards to set up green field shipyards in deep water ports because the country will be requiring an additional 1.78 million GT to meet the growing shipping needs. The study said that only greenfield shipyards, with a new ?gene pool? comprising of younger, educated and trained personnel, could hope to match the productivity levels of Japanese or Korean yards.

In addition, India will have to meet the replacement requirement of about 2.66 million GT during 10th Plan period itself according to the NSDRC. The study also noted that as the capacity of yards in US, Russia, Europe and Japan declines, there will be demand for another two million compensated gross tonnage (CGT) capacity and productivity levels need to be enhanced to two million (CGT) annually against current 0.15 million CGT.

To meet this, India will need huge investments and, according to the research centre, shipyards should be encouraged to set up greenfield projects in deep water ports. The study further said shipyards need to pool their competencies to weld together alliances in the wake of global competition and meeting rising vessel requirements. Outsourcing non-core activities such as accounts, civil maintenance and procurement of raw materials will help to shed manpower and purchase in bulk at bargain prices while even the core activities could be shared for production of ship series.