Marine Research in the country

The Government has established National Technology Centre for Ports, Waterways and Coasts (NTCPWC) in collaboration with Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, Chennai under the umbrella of Sagarmala Programme of Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways to provide innovative and applied research-based engineering solutions to various issues related to ports, waterways and coasts in the country.

The institute is equipped with state-of-the-art laboratories including Sediment Management and Test Basin, Bridge Mission Simulator, Field Research laboratory and Marine Information and Communication laboratory. The institute has undertaken more than 120 research and technical support projects for ports and waterways and developed more than 10 innovative products which are ready for commercialization. Some of the notable indigenous solutions include Online Dredging Monitoring System, Next Generation Technology for Hydrometeorology monitoring, Real Time – Underwater Keel Clearance, Indigenous Vessel Traffic Management System, Unmanned Surface Vessel for Autonomous Hydrographic and Oceanographic Surveys, Next Generation navigation for waterways and Digital Twins.

NTCPWC has been set up at a cost of Rs. 77 Cr. with financial assistance from the Government and its subordinate organisations.

This information was given by the Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal in a written reply to the Lok Sabha today.