NSTL Organises Ship Design Workshop To Boost Indigenous Capabilities

Visakhapatnam: The Marine Science and Technology Laboratory (NSTL) on Friday held a ship design workshop aimed at promoting self-reliance and strengthening the domestic ship design ecosystem.

The aim was to enhance India’s ship design capabilities and promote collaboration between stakeholders from the Indian Navy, defense public sector undertakings, private shipyards, classification societies and academia.

The workshop was inaugurated by eminent scientist and DRDO Director General (Marine Systems and Materials) Dr. By RV Hara Prasad, Director General (Battleship Design Bureau) Rear Admiral Sujit Baxi; Dr. Abraham Varughese, distinguished scientist and NSTL director; and Cmde (Retd) Girideep Singh, CMD, Hindustan Shipyard Limited.

In his keynote speech, Hara Prasad emphasized the important role of indigenous ship design and innovation in achieving Atmanirbhar Bharat in naval systems. He emphasized the integration of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, digital twin concepts, metamaterials and advanced stealth design techniques in future shipbuilding processes.

He also highlighted the increasing importance of green ship technologies, energy-efficient propulsion systems and sustainable materials to align marine design with global environmental and operational standards.

Varughese outlined NSTL’s contributions in underwater systems, ship hydrodynamics, and stealth technologies. He said the workshop provided a unique platform for dialogue between designers, shipbuilders, classification societies and academia to identify areas of common R&D and technological innovation.