Integrated subsea and offshore solutions provider Unique Group (Sharjah, United Arab Emirates) has expanded its diving manufacturing capabilities in Vadodara, India, as part of the company’s “Make in India” growth strategy. This is in addition to the multi-million-rupee investment made in 2020, which together will provide the infrastructure to support contractors and the Indian Navy and defense sector’s regional diving requirements.
The state-of-the-art facility, which spans over 20,000 ft2 (1,858.1 m2) of manufacturing and assembly, is currently seeing the manufacturing of classed saturation diving systems and submersible vehicles for key customers in the region, including owners of commercial diving vessels.
To boost its “Make in India” initiative, the company has also started locally manufacturing launch and recovery systems including hydraulic controls, as well as electrical switchboards and panels. For future expansion, indigenized unmanned surface vessels and other key integrated projects are also being planned from the new facilities.
The company has set up class-approved partner facilities in the southern states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, providing clients with increased accessibility throughout India. Plans are also underway to establish a presence in the Eastern part of India over the coming months. Signaling accelerated growth through 2021 with rising demand for diving products, the company aims to expand the team to over 200 employees as the projects progress through different phases.
“The diving industry is significantly gaining momentum in India, and with major players opening up long term charters for at least five commercial diving vessels, it is very welcoming to see a plethora of offshore and deep-sea opportunities along the East and West coast of India, in a post COVID era,” says A. Sharad Kumar, Ph.D., director of India projects at Unique Group.
Source: Unique Group, www.uniquegroup.com.