Centre of Excellence in Maritime & Shipbuilding

What Centre of Excellence in Maritime & Shipbuilding does

The Centre of Excellence in Maritime & Shipbuilding (CEMS) is a Government of India initiative established under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways to address the skill gap in India's maritime and shipbuilding sectors. The institution operates as a public-private partnership anchored by Siemens Industry Software India and the Indian Register of Shipping (IRCLASS), with leadership drawn from IRCLASS senior executives and Ministry officials. CEMS runs campuses in Visakhapatnam and Mumbai, and delivers competency-based training across CAD/PLM, electrical, automation and mechatronics, CNC, welding, and pneumatics/hydraulics, supplemented by DGR-aligned resettlement courses for ex-servicemen and corporate training programs for shipbuilders and maritime firms.

The technical curriculum is built on Siemens industrial software (NX, Teamcenter) for product lifecycle management and design, combined with IRCLASS-recognised maritime engineering content, producing graduates who hold co-branded credentials valued by both industrial employers and classification societies. CEMS has extended delivery through an online Academy platform and an Additive Manufacturing Lab, and has institutionalised recruitment via 50+ hiring partners and 100+ MoUs spanning shipyards, ports, logistics firms, and academic institutions including IIM Mumbai and IIT Tirupati.

The operating model combines direct student enrolment, corporate training contracts, government-supported resettlement programs, and CSR-funded youth employment initiatives. CEMS reports having trained over 21,000 students with a 90% placement rate in domain-specific programs and 560 youth employed under its CSR track. Revenue flows primarily from government grants, training fees, and partner contributions, with no equity funding or commercial revenue disclosure in the public record. The institution has received the AP State National Conclave Skill's Best Training Centre Excellence Award, indicating external validation of training quality.

Name

Centre of Excellence in Maritime & Shipbuilding

Legal name

Centre of Excellence in Maritime & Shipbuilding

Website

https://cemsindia.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

CEMS is a Government of India skill-development institution under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, partnering with Siemens Industry Software and IRCLASS to deliver CAD/PLM, maritime, and shipbuilding training at Visakhapatnam and Mumbai campuses for students, ex-servicemen, and corporate clients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Skill Development Training

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (61151), Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Professional and Management Development Training (61143), Computer Training (611420)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Construction, Engineering & Skilled Trades Licensure Prep (EDAAANAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Engineering & Technical Professions (PE, Engineering CPD) (EDAAALAF), Project, Program & Portfolio Management Certifications (EDAAANAB), Project, Quality & Operations (PMP PDUs, Six Sigma, Quality CE) (EDAAALAM)

Keywords

• Maritime skill development
• Shipbuilding training programs
• Industrial CAD PLM training
• Workforce upskilling services
• Manufacturing certification courses

Headquarters

HQ city

Visakhapatnam

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Government-funded Skill Development: Established by Government of India, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways as a flagship skill development initiative under the Skill India mission
2. Corporate Training Programs: Fee-based professional training programs for enterprise clients and working professionals
3. Student Course Fees: Tuition fees from certified industry programs for students seeking skill development and placements
4. DGR Resettlement Courses: Resettlement training programs for ex-servicemen (JCOs/OR) conducted under Directorate General Resettlement, with 40 vacancies per batch

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

CEMS operates as a government-backed skill development centre delivering industry-certified training programs in maritime, shipbuilding, manufacturing, and engineering disciplines. The portfolio includes CAD/PLM training using Siemens NX and Teamcenter, electrical programs, automation and mechatronics, CNC and welding, pneumatics and hydraulics, plus an Additive Manufacturing Lab, corporate enterprise training, an online academy (CEMS Academy), DGR resettlement courses for ex-servicemen, and an Executive Certificate Program co-offered with IIM Mumbai. Delivery occurs on campuses in Visakhapatnam and Mumbai with associated placement support.

Product overview

CEMS (Centre of Excellence in Maritime & Shipbuilding) is a government-funded skill development initiative established by India's Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, in partnership with Siemens Industry Software India and Indian Register of Shipping. The organization operates as a multi-program training institution rather than a single product company. Its portfolio includes CAD/PLM programs (using Siemens NX and Teamcenter), Electrical programs, Automation & Mechatronics, CNC/Welding, and Pneumatics/Hydraulics. Supporting infrastructure includes an Additive Manufacturing Lab with 3D printing capabilities, Corporate Training services for enterprises, DGR Resettlement Courses for ex-servicemen, and an Online Academy (CEMS Academy). An Executive Certificate Program is offered jointly with IIM Mumbai. The organization operates state-of-the-art labs at Vizag and Mumbai locations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• CAD/PLM Programs Comprehensive CAD/PLM training covering Siemens NX software including Synchronous Modeling, Parametric Design, Teamcenter Integration, Schedule Manager, and Essentials for Designers. Jointly certified by CEMS and Siemens.
• Electrical Programs Electrical engineering training covering Basics of Induction Motors, Powersystems, Low Voltage Switchgear, and AC-DC Drives.
• Automation & Mechatronics Programs Industrial automation training including PLC fundamentals and mechatronics systems for manufacturing workforce.
• CNC/Welding Programs Manufacturing skills training covering CNC Turning and Milling (Numerical Control Programming), machine operations, and welding techniques.
• Pneumatics/Hydraulics Programs Fluid power systems training covering industrial pneumatics and hydraulics applications.
• Corporate Training Customized industry training programs for corporate workforce development with training calendar delivered at CEMS campuses in Mumbai and Vizag.
• Additive Manufacturing Lab 3D printing facility equipped with Accucraft i250D hybrid dual extruder printer and Prusa SL1S MSLA printer, using Ultimaker Cura and PrusaSlicer software for hands-on industrial training.
• DGR Resettlement Courses Resettlement training programs for ex-servicemen (JCOs/OR) conducted under Directorate General Resettlement, covering Port Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Industrial Automation, Ship Building, and Advanced Computer Technology, with 40 vacancies per batch.
• Online Courses (CEMS Academy) Digital learning platform offering remote access to CEMS training programs and certifications.
• Executive Certificate Program in Disruptive Technologies for Port Management & Shipping Logistics Executive-level certificate program offered jointly by IIM Mumbai and CEMS covering emerging technologies for maritime and logistics sectors.

Quantifiable outcome

• 90% placement rate in domain-specific programs
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered major and core.

• IIT TirupatimajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 November 2025MOU signed for academic collaboration in research, training, and skill development programs.
• APMB (A.P. Maritime Board)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 November 2025MOU signed during CII Partnership Summit in Vizag for maritime training and port operations skill development.
• CSL (Cochin Shipyard Limited)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025MOU signed during IMW-25 (India Maritime Week) for skill development and training collaboration in shipbuilding and maritime sector.
• DP WorldmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025MOU signed during IMW-25 for partnership in maritime training and workforce development initiatives.
• GRSE (Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025MOU signed during IMW-25 for collaboration in shipbuilding training and skill development programs.
• Indian Register of Shipping (IRCLASS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Co-founding partner along with Siemens Industry Software India Pvt Ltd in establishing CEMS as a skill development initiative under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. IRCLASS provides maritime industry expertise and certification credibility.
• Siemens Industry Software India Pvt LtdcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Technology partner providing joint certification for industrial software training including NX11, Teamcenter PLM and other Industry 4.0 technologies. Co-certified programs with Siemens branding.
• IIM MumbaimajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023MOU signed at GMIS 2023 for joint delivery of Executive Certificate Program in Disruptive Technologies for Port Management & Shipping Logistics, combining IIM Mumbai's management education with CEMS's technical expertise.
• Indian Maritime UniversitymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership for maritime education and research collaboration. CEMS Director Dr. Kesavadev Varikkattu Karottu serves as Professor at Indian Maritime University, Visakhapatnam Campus.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• L&T EduTech: Larsen & Toubro's vocational skilling arm delivering industry-grade training in heavy engineering, construction, and manufacturing. Direct peer in the 'industry-led skill development' niche with similar employer-anchored delivery model.
• Indian Maritime University (IMU): India's central university dedicated to maritime education. CEMS's director Dr. Kesavadev Varikkattu Karottu also serves as Professor at IMU Visakhapatnam, and both institutions target the same pool of maritime talent with overlapping curricula in naval architecture and shipbuilding.
• Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) Training Division: Major Indian shipbuilder that runs in-house apprenticeship and skill development programs. CEMS signed an MOU with CSL in 2025, indicating direct overlap in maritime workforce development audiences and curriculum.

Broad incumbents

• National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC): India's umbrella public-private skill development body under the Skill India mission. CEMS operates as one of the sector-specific Centers of Excellence within the same national skilling ecosystem, sharing the mandate of vocational training at scale.
• Tata Technologies: Engineering services and digital enterprise company that runs industrial software training and workforce upskilling programs. Comparable in its focus on CAD/PLM (Siemens/Teamcenter) competency building, though serving a broader automotive/aerospace base rather than maritime.
• Aptech Limited: India-listed vocational training provider offering IT, CAD, and industrial software courses across multiple centers. Comparable in delivering Siemens-adjacent CAD/CAM/PLM curricula to working professionals and students.
• Siemens India - SkillCenters / SITRAIN: Siemens's own training organization (SITRAIN) delivering industrial automation and PLM certifications. CEMS is essentially a co-branded extension of this capability in India; competitive overlap exists where Siemens could deepen direct training delivery.

Emerging players

• Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL): Indian defence shipbuilder with internal apprenticeship and skill training programs. CEMS director Dr. Karottu previously served at MDL, and the organizations compete and collaborate for the same maritime workforce pipeline.
• IIT Kharagpur - Department of Ocean Engineering and Naval Architecture: Premier Indian institution offering degree programs in naval architecture, ocean engineering, and shipbuilding. Overlaps with CEMS's maritime and shipbuilding curriculum though focused on degree-level rather than vocational certification.

Regional players

• Bharat Skill Development Council: Sector-specific skill councils under NSDC that define qualifications for trades including welding, fabrication, and industrial machining — areas directly addressed by CEMS's CNC and welding programs. Overlap in curriculum standard-setting and certification pipelines.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/cems_in
• Facebookfacebook.com/CEMS5
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cemsindia
• Instagraminstagram.com/cems_india

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Centre of Excellence in Maritime & Shipbuilding