In a significant step towards strengthening India’s maritime industrial base and advancing the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and Jindal Steel & Power (JSP) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in New Delhi on 7 May 2024 for the supply of indigenous marine-grade steel used in shipbuilding.

The agreement was formalised by Inspector General H.K. Sharma, Deputy Director General (Materiel & Maintenance), Indian Coast Guard, and SK Pradhan, Chief Marketing Officer of JSP, in the presence of senior Coast Guard officials.

The partnership is aimed at increasing indigenous content in Indian Coast Guard shipbuilding projects while reducing dependence on imported materials. By promoting domestically produced marine-grade steel, the collaboration supports national efforts to enhance self-reliance in strategically important sectors and strengthen India's maritime manufacturing ecosystem.

Under the terms of the MoU, the two organisations have committed to fostering indigenisation and expanding the capability to manufacture and utilise critical marine-grade steel products in the national interest. The agreement also highlights the growing importance of public-private partnerships in addressing complex security and industrial requirements.

A key feature of the arrangement is the establishment of clearly defined quality standards, steel grades and dimensional specifications for materials supplied to Coast Guard shipbuilding projects. The MoU also identifies designated JSP steel plants responsible for manufacturing the required marine-grade steel.

These provisions are intended to provide shipyards engaged in Indian Coast Guard vessel construction with greater assurance regarding quality, consistency and the timely availability of critical materials. A dependable domestic supply chain is expected to improve project planning, reduce procurement risks and support the efficient execution of shipbuilding programmes.

The collaboration further aligns with the Government of India’s broader Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives, which seek to expand domestic industrial capabilities in defence and strategic sectors. 

By encouraging indigenous production of specialised shipbuilding materials, the agreement contributes to the development of a more resilient and self-sustaining maritime industry.

The Indian Coast Guard has been steadily pursuing greater indigenisation across its fleet expansion and modernisation efforts. The marine-grade steel partnership with JSP represents another important milestone in that journey, strengthening domestic manufacturing capabilities while supporting the long-term requirements of India's maritime security infrastructure.

Agencies