Kerala will increase its maritime institutes’ operations: Minister

According to State Minister of Ports V. N. Vasavan, the public-private partnership model will be essential for producing qualified experts in the marine industry. He stated at the opening of the Kerala Maritime Education Conference (KMEC 2024), which is being organized by the Kerala Maritime Board (KMB), that talks are taking place on how to increase the activities of maritime colleges in Kerala using the PPP model because the industry has a great need for trained workers.

The minister stated that Kollam, Beypore, and Azheekal ports will be examined in the future, citing Vizhinjam Port as an example of a PPP model that has proven successful in advancing the State’s maritime industry. The minister said Kerala was chosen by the Union Government as the nation’s best marine state. The state will make a substantial economic contribution if it develops the 17 non-major ports under KMB by utilizing the 590-kilometer coastline.

How to use KMB’s operations to support the State’s transition to a knowledge economy will be covered at KMEC 2024. The minister also introduced KMI’s new video and logo, which are part of the company’s transformation into a marine industry center of excellence.

India is among the top five countries in the world for seafarers, according to Director General of Shipping Shyam Jagannathan. The goal of the Maritime India Vision 2030 document is to raise the nation’s share of seafarers from the present 12.5% to 20% of the global pool. One Indian seafarer will be on board a merchant vessel for every five. Therefore, we must provide sailors with the appropriate skill set,” he stated.

According to him, the PPP model in Kerala at Neendakara and Kodungallur will guarantee technology-centric instruction and provide all the amenities required for high-quality maritime education. The KMIs provide a wealth of options, including specialized courses in port operations, ship handling, customs, logistics, marine safety, and shipbuilding, according to K.S. Srinivas, Principal Secretary (Ports). Thought leaders, leading educators, business leaders, and government representatives convened at KMEC 2024 to talk about partnerships in the port, shipping, and adjacent industries as well as the direction of maritime education and its interconnected branches.