Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways addressed marine research initiatives, detailing the work of the National Technology Centre for Ports, Waterways and Coasts (NTCPWC), research projects by the Indian Maritime University, and development of innovative solutions. NTCPWC focuses on areas like sediment transportation, navigation, and autonomous platforms. Rs. 70.53 crore has been allocated for the establishment of NTCPWC.
Key Points / Main Content:
Marine Research Activities:
* NTCPWC has conducted approximately 35 navigational studies and 120 research and technical support projects.
* Research areas include numerical modeling, coastal and estuarine flows, sediment transport, navigation, dredging, port engineering, autonomous survey vessels, and multi-hull computational fluid dynamics.
* Indian Maritime University is conducting research on marine applications, inland vessel maneuverability, underwater noise mitigation, and inland waterways hulls.
NTCPWC Infrastructure and Development:
* Developed a Sedimentation and Erosion Management Test Basin.
* Developed a 360-degree projection-based Full Mission Ship Handling Simulator.
* Established a Modern Field Research Lab (FRL) facility for field-based measurements.
* Marine Engineering and ICT lab support ports and waterways projects with environment sensing, analytics, and visualization.
* Developed Indigenous Vessel Traffic Management System (VTMS).
Funding and Outcomes:
* The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has funded Rs. 70.53 crore for the establishment of NTCPWC.
* More than 10 innovative solutions and products have been developed, leading to patents and commercialization.
* Skill development and navigational training programs have been conducted.
Collaboration and Innovation:
* The establishment of labs has promoted interaction with industry, academia, and organizations.
* Aims to foster innovation, research, and development in the marine sector.
Impact Analysis:
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and affiliated organizations:
* Impact: Responsible for funding and overseeing marine research and development initiatives through NTCPWC.
* Action Required: Continue to provide financial support and administrative oversight to NTCPWC and similar research endeavors.
NTCPWC:
* Impact: Central entity for conducting marine research and developing innovative solutions for ports and waterways.
* Action Required: Continue to conduct research projects, develop new technologies, and collaborate with industry and academia.
Indian Maritime University:
* Impact: Conducting specific research projects related to marine applications, vessel maneuverability, and environmental impact.
* Action Required: Continue research projects and collaborate with NTCPWC and other stakeholders.
Ports, Waterways and Maritime Industry Sector:
* Impact: Beneficiaries of the research, development, and training programs, leading to modernization and efficiency.
* Action Required: Participate in skill development programs and adopt innovative solutions developed through research initiatives.
Industry, Academia and other Organisations:
* Impact: Collaboration encouraged in innovation, research and development through the established labs.
* Action Required: Engage in collaboration and partnerships.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways: The Indian government ministry responsible for ports, shipping, and waterways.
SHRI RAJESH NARANBHAI CHUDASAMA: Member of LOK SABHA who raised the question about Marine Research
SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL: Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways who provided the answer to the question.
National Technology Centre for Ports, Waterways and Coasts (NTCPWC): An organization aimed to conduct research and studies on sediment transportation, navigation, dredging and siltation, port and coastal engineering, autonomous platforms and vehicles.
Indian Maritime University: An organization that has been carrying out research projects on synthesis, characterization and bio environmental solutions for marine applications.
Digital India: A Government of India initiative to transform India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy.
Aatma Nirbhar Bharat: A Government of India initiative promoting self-reliance and domestic production.
Sedimentation and Erosion Management Test Basin: A facility developed by NTCPWC to cater the challenges faced by ports, waterways and coastal areas in dredging and management of siltation and erosion.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2221
ANSWERED ON 01.08.2025
MARINE RESEARCH
2221. SHRI RAJESH NARANBHAI CHUDASAMA:
Will the Minister of PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS be pleased to state:
प(cid:517)न, पोत प(cid:303)रवहन एवं जलमाग(cid:330) मं(cid:361)ालय
(a) whether the Government has any plans to conduct Marine Research in the country
and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether National Technology Centre for Ports, Waterways and Toasts (NTCPWC)
aimed to do research and studies on sediment transportation, navigation, dredging and
siltation, port and coastal engineering, autonomous platforms and vehicles and if so, the
details thereof;
(c) the details of funds allocated for the establishment of NTCPWC; and
(d) the steps taken by the Government to have tie-up with Industries and Institutions
to create solutions towards enabling the modernization of the marine sector in the
country?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
(SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)
(a) About 35 navigational studies and 120 research and technical support projects
have been carried out at National Technology Centre for Ports, Waterways and Coasts
(NTCPWC) with focus on numerical modelling, coastal and estuarine flows, sediment
transport and morphodynamics, navigation and manoeuvring, dredging and siltation,
ports and coastal engineering structures and breakwaters, autonomous survey vessels,
and multi hull computational fluid dynamics. Further, Indian Maritime University has been
carrying out research projects on synthesis, characterization and bio environmental
solutions for marine applications, manoeuvrability of inland vessels, study on underwater
noise radiated from port-related activities and mitigation measures, numerical studies on
inland waterways hulls.(b) NTCPWC has developed Sedimentation and Erosion Management Test Basin to
cater the challenges faced by ports, waterways and coastal areas in dredging and
management of siltation and erosion. A 360-degree projection based Full Mission Ship
Handling Simulator has been developed for conducting complex navigation feasibility
studies for ports and waterways projects. Modern Field Research Lab (FRL) facility has
been developed to carry out various field-based measurements in coastal, marine and
waterways. Additionally, Marine Engineering and ICT lab provide coastal and marine
environment sensing, analytics and visualization to support ports and waterways projects.
Indigenous Vessel Traffic Management System (VTMS) has been developed under the
vision of ‘Digital India’ and ‘Aatma Nirbhar Bharat’.
(c) to (d) Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and organisations under its
administrative control have funded Rs. 70.53 crore for the establishment of NTCPWC. Till
date, more than 10 innovative solutions and products have been developed leading to
patents and commercialization. Further, skill development and navigational training
programs have been conducted for ports, waterways and maritime industry sector.
Setting up of labs has encouraged interaction with industry, academia and organisation
to promote innovation, research and development.
*****