Mumbai — In a landmark development for India’s maritime ecosystem and a major stride toward Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat, Neptunus Power Plant Services Pvt. Ltd. has partnered with the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) to introduce India’s first Condition-Based Maintenance (CBM) driven marine engine monitoring technology. The collaboration was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed at India Maritime Week 2025, in the presence of the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi.
This collaboration represents a significant shift in how India approaches ship maintenance, operational reliability, and maritime technology innovation. It brings together Indian research, manufacturing, regulatory certification, and digital diagnostics to build systems that are globally competitive and export-ready.
IRS Grants Type Approval for India’s First Indigenous Marine Engine Monitoring Systems
As part of the partnership, the Indian Register of Shipping has awarded Type Approval Certification to Neptunus for two landmark technologies:
- VIB 360 – an Engine Condition Monitoring System
- Torque Sense SHAPOLI – a propulsion system diagnostic and torque monitoring solution
This certification is the world’s first instance of a classification society approving fully indigenous, data-driven, marine engine monitoring technologies designed, manufactured, and validated in India.
The approval confirms that Neptunus Power Plant Services has built maritime engineering solutions that meet global technical safety, reliability, and compliance standards.
A Shift from Traditional Maintenance to Condition-Based Maintenance (CBM)
Traditionally, ship maintenance has relied on fixed OEM schedules—a time-based, conservative approach that often results in:
- Unplanned downtime
- Higher operational costs
- Inefficient fuel usage
- Delayed repairs
With VIB 360, fleets can adopt Condition-Based Maintenance, where engines are maintained based on real-time performance data rather than preset service intervals.
This approach offers major benefits:
| Maintenance Impact | Improvement Achieved |
|---|---|
| Downtime | Reduced significantly through early diagnostics |
| Reliability | Improved operational safety and predictable engine behavior |
| Cost Efficiency | Maintenance costs reduced by up to 30% |
| Fuel Efficiency | Optimization through precise performance data |
| Emissions | Lowered due to efficient combustion and reduced load stress |
The shift to CBM aligns directly with India’s Digital Maritime Vision, promoting technologically advanced, environmentally responsible shipping operations.
MoU to Build Future-Ready Maritime Standards
Under the MoU, the Indian Register of Shipping and Neptunus will jointly create operational frameworks and maintenance standards for Condition-Based Maintenance across India’s maritime sector. This includes:
- Creating CBM compliance guidelines for Indian fleets
- Training marine engineers in data-driven diagnostics
- Developing digital monitoring infrastructure at shipyards and fleet operations
- Supporting shipowners in transitioning from traditional to CBM maintenance practices
This collaboration strengthens India’s capability to produce Made in India maritime systems ready for deployment across global fleets.
Industry Leaders Speak on the Partnership
Mr. Uday Purohit, MD & CEO, Neptunus Power Plant Services, said:
“This MoU with the Indian Register of Shipping reinforces our belief that Indian engineering can shape the global maritime future. The Type Approval validates India’s capability to build data-led maritime technologies that meet world-class standards.”
Mr. Akshay Purohit, Director & COO, added:
“This is a step toward making Condition-Based Maintenance a mainstream practice in India’s maritime sector. By combining local innovation with data-based insights, we are creating systems that reduce downtime, increase efficiency, and extend engine life.”
Why This Collaboration Matters for India and the World
This milestone:
- Positions India among the few nations producing certified marine diagnostics tech
- Enables the global maritime sector to shift from preventive to predictive maintenance
- Supports India’s ambition to lead in green and digital shipping innovation
The collaboration also reflects how rapidly India Maritime Week 2025 is influencing strategic reforms across port infrastructure, fleet operations, and maritime workforce capability.
About Neptunus Power Plant Services Pvt. Ltd.
Headquartered in Navi Mumbai, Neptunus Power Plant Services is one of India’s leading companies in reliability engineering, asset optimization, and marine engine services. With over 28 years of experience and projects in 30+ countries, Neptunus is recognized as India’s Top Innovative MSME (Medium Category) by ET Awards 2023.
The company has strong indigenous R&D capabilities and works extensively across the marine, oil & gas, and defense sectors in regions including Africa, South America, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.
Also read: Japanese Delegation and DGS Strengthen Collaboration in India’s Maritime Sector
Conclusion
The partnership between Indian Register of Shipping and Neptunus Power Plant Services marks a transformative moment in India’s maritime sector. By advancing marine engine monitoring and Condition-Based Maintenance, India is not just following global trends — it is setting them.
This collaboration strengthens India’s position as a global maritime innovation hub, driven by indigenous engineering, digital intelligence, and future-ready sustainability standards.
Source: indiashippingnews.com
