Maharashtra signs Rs120 crore agreement to upgrade ITIs for global maritime skill training
Maharashtra has taken a major step towards transforming itself into a maritime skills powerhouse by signing a ₹120 crore Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with international partners to modernize six Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs). The initiative will focus on providing global-standard vocational training in the port and logistics sectors.
The MoU was signed between the Maharashtra Skill Development Department, Ports Department, Netherlands-based Atal Solutions International BV, and M.D. Rural Group, with support from export credit agencies (ECAs) of the Netherlands, Denmark, and Poland. The agreement was finalized in the presence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, and key ministers including Nitesh Rane and Mangal Prabhat Lodha.
In the first phase, six ITIs located in Mumbai, Pune, Baramati, Sindhudurg, Nagpur, and Nashik will be upgraded. These institutes will be equipped with maritime simulation labs, internationally-aligned curricula, and expert-led training modules. The program is expected to train between 5,000 to 7,000 students annually, focusing on in-demand skills relevant to India’s growing port economy.
Chief Minister Fadnavis highlighted the strategic significance of the initiative in preparing a future-ready workforce for large-scale maritime infrastructure projects like JNPT and the upcoming Vadhavan Port. He stated that this global collaboration will help Maharashtra position itself as a national leader in maritime skill development.
The project, financed under an ECA-backed social impact model, includes extensive risk coverage and will be implemented by the Rural Enhancer Group of India, with additional funding from JNPT and the Maharashtra Maritime Board.
This move aims to establish India’s first export-capable vocational training model in maritime logistics and port operations, aligning with the state’s long-term maritime vision. The initiative also strengthens Maharashtra’s commitment to public-private partnerships and youth employment generation in high-potential sectors.
