Italian delegation hold talks with ICG officials for cooperation in shipbuilding

An Italian delegation, including members of a shipbuilding firm, held discussions with officials of the Indian Coast Guard on Thursday to explore ways to advance cooperation in shipbuilding, maritime technology and capability development, officials said.

The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) hosted the delegation that included senior representatives from Fincantieri at its headquarters here, the defence ministry said.

“The discussions focused on collaboration with Indian shipyards for future projects, highlighting advanced design features such as resilient hulls for higher sea states, enhanced bollard pull, integrated firefighting systems, and hybrid/electric propulsion,” the ministry said in a statement.

The dialogue also explored modular ship design to enable versatile, multi-role platforms with rapid operational adaptability, it said.

“Both sides deliberated on the indigenous development and co-development of niche technologies, including dynamic positioning systems, advanced thrusters, AI-enabled decision support, counter-unmanned aerial systems/anti-drone defence, and next-generation green propulsion, in alignment with the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat,” the statement said.

The interaction served as a forward-looking platform to advance cooperation in shipbuilding, maritime technology and capability development, aligned with India’s maritime security priorities, it said.
The members of the delegation also called on ICG Director General Paramesh Sivamani.

The delegates included Counsellor Anna Ruffino, head of the economics and innovation department at the Embassy of Italy, and Eugenio Santagata, head of the military naval vessel 
division, Fincantieri, the statement said.