Lloyd’s Register (LR) has partnered with the Government of India’s Directorate General of Shipping for the design of the Indian Ocean Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Shipping Transport (IOCE-SMarT). 

The initiative improves the Maritime Training Institute (MTI) in Mumbai, changing it into a hub of maritime excellence in collaboration with the IMO’s global Maritime Technologies Cooperation Centre (MTCC) network.

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Aligned with India’s aspiration for international maritime leadership, IOCE-SMarT will enable a holistic hub of maritime excellence across analysis, technology, and industry partnerships to profit the entire region.  

Using its experience as a trusted adviser and its abilities on regional maritime policy, LR will help the regulatory authority with strategic planning, including needs assessment, stakeholder consultation, strategic alignment, and institutional framework development. 

Shri Shyam Jagannathan, IAS, India’s Director General of Shipping, declared that the IOCE-SMaRT will be a pioneering center in South Asia, positioning India and its BIMSTEC members as leaders in Sustainable Shipping Transportation. The center aims to improve maritime capacity building across the Indian Ocean region.

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Ambrish Bansal, Senior VP at Lloyd’s Register, stressed that the center aligns with the region’s goal to lead global sustainable shipping maritime development. It will serve as a hub for maritime research, technology, and industry partnership, combining regional expertise and global networks for success.

LR will help create service channels through a partnership with IMO, integration with the MTCC Network, and detailing initiatives for IOCE-SMarT. LR will also support institutional setup, infrastructure development, and financial planning, and provide a detailed project report and implementation roadmap. 

MTI’s location, physical infrastructure, expertise, and government support collectively position it as an ideal candidate for changeover into a Centre of Excellence. It provides close access to maritime organizations and activities while facilitating seamless movement through Mumbai’s well-developed transportation network.