Body of scientists, engineers, et al formed under the banner of Maritime Research & Development Society
Unhappy with the immense maritime opportunities going waste in India that could be fruitfully utilized to give a fillip to the economy, a large number of scientists, chartered engineers, naval architects, marine engineers and others from the allied fields have come together to form a closely knit body to ‘make things happen’. Operating under the banner of Maritime Research & Development Society (MRDS) they aim to undertake, promote & co-ordinate the research and development of the maritime sector.
“We are actively pursuing our goals in order to get the fundamental research started in the India,” says their General Secretary, Saptarshi Basu. “We have plans to start with a training-cum-research institute. It is hoped that it will be a unique venture in the country with great implication on the process of nation building and future of Indian shipping and foreign trade.”
The body is looking at a number of areas where research and development have yielded promising results. One of the members associated with various proposed projects informed that they intend to push forward the concept of a solar powered vessel. The encouraging success with M/V Auriga Leader developed by NYK Line in trying to cut down on diesel power on their 665 foot long car carrier ship is one such project. The vessel with its 328 solar panels on its top deck was able to provide 40 kilowatts of power.
Another line of development being thought of despite the tragedy at Japan’s Fukushima Daiichi plant is nuclear technology. The use of fast breeder reactor for propulsion could provide a much faster and compact reactor and robust plant. The abundance of Thorium in India would prove to be a big boon in this regards. “It is expedient that we reduce our dependence on the depleting natural source of petroleum,” he said. “The use of nuclear power for ship propulsion is a viable clean and economic solution at least for the large ships. Here maritime research has an important role to play in this adaptation.”
A shocking phenomenon that has come to light is that Indian shipyards spend millions of dollars to buy designs for ship building and the lines plans from the ship design institutes in Korea, Japan and European exchange. With the development of indigenous research facilities these designs can be home grown and customized at a very low cost.
“Better Hull design with the better dynamic stability improves the maneuverability of the vessels which has a long standing advantage,” informed Mr. Basu. “This reduces the number of tugs required for the berthing and un-berthing operations, which is a major cost in the port dues and thus reduces the operational expenditure.”
Other aspects the MRDS propose he explained is to take up integration of advanced propulsion concepts such as intelligent engines, fuel cell technology, combined heat cycle and superior waste heat recovery system etc., that can lower the bunker consumption by 15% and greatly increase efficiency, lowers the voyage costs and reduces load on the countries scare petroleum reserves. At the same time causes a massive reduction in emissions.
Shortage of funds due to lack of patronage from corporate house as well as the government, besides the discouraging policy towards investment could severely restrict research activity. This business plan is to generate self sustaining funds to start an incremental stage by stage development of a full fledge research institute in the lines of Krylov Ship Building Research Institute and which would also supply the much need qualified manpower for the research.