Indian Coast Guard Hosts Maiden Shipbuilding & IT Conference

RR Team

1 week ago

The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) hosted its maiden Shipbuilding, Indigenisation & IT Conference on November 27, 2025, in Madikeri, Karnataka, marking a pivotal step in strengthening India’s maritime capabilities. The event witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Coimbatore District Small Industries Association and Defence Innovation & Atal Incubation Centre to accelerate defence innovation and indigenisation efforts.

Director General Paramesh Sivamani, DG ICG, emphasised the strategic importance of self-reliance in shipbuilding through indigenous designs, robust digital infrastructure, and resilient supply chains. Highlighting the successful launch of the 200th indigenously built vessel, the fourth Pollution Control Ship currently undergoing sea trials, he lauded the technical expertise and engineering excellence of ICG technocrats.

Project Digital Coast Guard and Technological Advancement

DG ICG presented the progress of Project Digital Coast Guard, a long-term initiative aimed at establishing a secure, scalable, and resilient digital backbone across all ICG units. He stressed that digital expansion must be coupled with strong cybersecurity frameworks to ensure operational resilience.

During the conference, DG Sivamani released three key documents: the teaser of the e-book “History of Shipbuilding in the Indian Coast Guard”, the Roadmap for Artificial Intelligence in ICG, and the ICG Cyber Crisis Management Plan-2025. These publications underscore ICG’s commitment to technological innovation, digital capacity-building, and future-ready operational preparedness.

Industry Collaboration and Indigenous Maritime Force

The conference facilitated dialogue among stakeholders, fostering synergy between Indian shipyards, equipment manufacturers, classification societies, and experts from the maritime domain. This collaborative platform is set to advance Aatmanirbhar Bharat, drive technological innovation, and accelerate digital transformation across the ICG.

The MoU with the Coimbatore Defence Innovation Hub seeks to enhance indigenous research and innovation, support start-ups, and strengthen the domestic defence industrial base. DG Sivamani highlighted that such initiatives will ensure a technologically advanced, operationally superior, and fully self-reliant maritime force.

By uniting academic, industry, and government stakeholders, the maiden Shipbuilding, Indigenisation & IT Conference establishes a strategic roadmap for India’s maritime sector. The event reiterates the Indian Coast Guard’s dedication to innovation, operational readiness, and building capabilities aligned with national security and technological self-reliance.