Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal attended the inaugural ceremony of the Underwater Welding, Offshore Repair and Additive Manufacturing (3D Printing) initiative at IIT Guwahati. At the event, he presented certificates to seven youths who completed the Underwater Welding Certification Programme at the institute’s Technology Innovation Hub, supported by the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS).

Sonowal praised the collaboration between IIT Guwahati and IRS, and observed a live demonstration of 3D metal-printing-based repair of a marine propeller carried out by the institute’s team.

He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership has significantly strengthened India’s maritime capacity, skilled workforce, port connectivity, inland waterways and the blue economy, with Assam and the Northeast playing a central role. The Minister noted that ongoing skill development and innovation efforts at IIT Guwahati provide a “practical and result-oriented pathway” to building advanced capabilities in underwater welding, offshore repair and next-generation manufacturing.

Sonowal added that Assam has the potential to emerge as a major hub for underwater repair and advanced manufacturing, with the Technology Innovation Hub poised to become the epicentre of this growth. Highlighting the Northeast’s natural advantages, he said its waterways and geography position it strongly within an advanced maritime ecosystem.

He emphasised that underwater welding, offshore repair and 3D printing technologies are vital to creating a faster, more reliable and cost-effective maritime maintenance network. By reducing dependence on dry-docking and imported components, the solutions being developed at IIT Guwahati will support greater self-reliance in the sector.

The Minister commended the first batch of seven certified underwater welders, who now hold globally relevant qualifications. He encouraged shipyards, dockyards, inland waterways authorities and maritime industries to collaborate closely with IIT Guwahati to help build a robust ecosystem.

Sonowal reiterated the ministry’s commitment to fostering innovation, strengthening maritime infrastructure and creating skilled employment for young people, assuring that outcome-oriented proposals from IIT Guwahati and its partners would receive positive consideration within existing policy and financial frameworks.

The event was attended by IIT Guwahati Director Prof. Devendra Jalihal, researchers, maritime industry leaders, dignitaries and students.