December 9, 2020: The auspicious occasion of Dussehra witnessed ‘Konkan Maritime Cluster’, India’s First Maritime Cluster, solemnizing Bhoomi Pujan and laying of Foundation Stone of the ‘Common Facility Center at its Verna premises, the land for which is allocated by the Government of Goa.
Powered by the entrepreneurs of Goa and supported by Goa State’s Government, Ministry of Shipping (through the Directorate General of Shipping) and the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), the Cluster aims at augmenting ship and boat building and marine equipment manufacturing in India. The cluster further envisages to grow into a unified platform integrating other avenues of maritime trade, ranging from technical services, including ship design and analysis, marine operations, legal and financial consultancy or skill development. As per Mr. Suraj Dialani, CMD of the cluster, “membership is open to all facets of maritime industry who may contribute to the ecosystem. The cluster aims to represent the community, which stands unified to empower themselves and future generations.”
The ‘Common Facilities Centre (CFC)’ being set up within ambit of the cluster shall make high end technology, testing facilities, etc. available to the members of the cluster and other beneficiaries on sharing basis and at subsidized tariffs. Acquiring or availing such facilities on an individual basis may not be financially viable otherwise, particularly for smaller units, putting them at a competitive disadvantage vis-a-vis products from other countries.
Other than hard intervention in the form of machineries, the cluster aims at various soft interventions such as promoting cooperation and collaboration amidst its members and with third parties, building awareness amongst its members of the various schemes and initiatives of the Govt. and other bodies, encouraging innovation and skill enhancement and training.
The event began with Bhoomi Puja and laying of the foundation stone by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Goa, Dr. Pramod Sawant. This was followed by unveiling of the commemorative plaque by the Hon’ble Minister of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Shri Nitin Jairam Gadkari and Hon’ble Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Shipping, Shri Mansukh L. Mandaviya.
The event continued with an inaugural addressing by Hon’ble Industries Minister, Shri Vishvajeet Rane followed by other dignitaries. The event took place on the sprawling 14,380 sq. mtr. premises of the cluster in Verna Industrial Estate and was attended by media and various notables. Other than those present at site, many others joined the celebration through virtual media including representatives of organizations such as INSA, ICCSA, Norwegian Maritime Cluster, SCI, CSL, etc.
Dr. Pramod Sawant, Chief Minister of Goa shared “On this occasion of Dusshera, we are glad to do the bhoomi pujan and laying the foundation stone for the first Maritime Cluster and this shall now surely be a success. We are proud of the first Maritime cluster being formed in Goa and with the support of everyone we are sure achieve great heights. Goa has always focused on the development of various sectors and this is an admirable initiative. The Government of Goa and the Hon’ble Industries Minister, Shri Vishvajeet Rane will always be there to support the cluster”
Shri. Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises greeted all the dignitaries shared “This is an important function for Goa, the Common Facility Center will prove to be an important space for encouraging small ship building companies and make them competent for international markets. Goa is a Maritime state and this is the first Maritime cluster of the country. While it already has the expertise, the Konkan Maritime Cluster is sure to generate employment and also complement our industries related to Shipbuilding.”
Shri. Amitabh Kumar, Director General of Shipping, “Goa has been known for shipbuilding. It is only natural that the first maritime cluster of the country is being formed at Goa and we have assembled today for its foundation stone laying ceremony. Ship building in Goa is being done largely by small and medium scale enterprises and they lack the resources required to upgrade their infrastructure and technology individually, which is needed to build ships of international quality. The central government is promoting creation of clusters to overcome these shortcomings faced by small players. In shipping, such clusters have been visualised in ship building and other ship related services like ship finance, insurance, management, knowledge management etc. Konkan Maritime Cluster will create common facilities for its members, which will help them in improving the quality of their products and reducing the cost. This is the most important and timely initiative to make the shipyards of Konkan region globally competitive.”
Mr. Suraj Dialani, CMD, Konkan Maritime Cluster shares “Konkan Maritime Cluster is India’s first Maritime with work on common facility centre for benefit of Indian Maritime and Ship Building sector of Goa already in progress and we shall see the services early 2021 being implemented. The support of GOI, DG Shipping and Goa has been instrumental in its progress”.
Mr. Dialani, on behalf of the cluster, expressed gratitude to Smt Malini Shankar – Chairman National shipping board, Shri Parimal Rai – Chief secretary, Goa, Capt Mohit Bhel – DG shipping, Mr Nikhil Lawande – valued member, Mr Gokhe – Director MSME Goa, Commodore Padhye – CMO, VP dangi – CMO. Expressing thankfulness to Dr. Shankar for the concept, Mr. Dialani thanked the spirit and perseverance of Capt. Bhel, Shri Dangi and Commodore Padhye.
The culmination of today’s event marked beginning of a significant chapter in the maritime industry of India and one strong step towards making of the ‘Atama Nirbhar Bharat’.
